Genealogy of a social ecologist

摘要

Purpose - Most people typically view Peter Drucker as the founder of management theory, or thernoriginator of concepts such as management by objectives. Few are aware of his larger vision of a freernsociety of functioning organizations, much less the intellectual influences that drove that vision. Thisrnpaper seeks to discuss four individuals whose ideas informed Drucker's concept of a moral society ofrnmodern institutions: Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Julius Stahl, Alfred Sloan, and Joseph Schumpeter.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Drucker's own writings, as well as correspondence, interviews,rnand other archival sources, are analyzed to illustrate the influence of each of the four people. Specificrnexamples of each influence are shown, as well as a case study of one organization that exemplifiesrnDrucker's entire vision in action.rnFindings - Drucker's life and work represent a struggle to achieve his vision of a moral society ofrnfunctioning organizations. His larger vision is imprinted on his ideas of the self-governing plantrncommunity, management by objectives, leadership integrity, and the morality of profit. However,rnDrucker's overall vision remains elusive in practice in large part because of its complex intellectualrnorigins.rnResearch limitations/implications - Future research into additional intellectual influences onrnDrucker's work is suggested.rnOriginality/value - The paper offers an in-depth analysis of Drucker's work with respect to therninfluences of Kierkegaard, Stahl, Sloan, and Schumpeter, illustrating Drucker's intellectual lineage andrnhistory. It provides an important connection between the discipline of management and the liberal arts.