In the past the man has been first; in the future the system must be first_ Frederick Winslow Taylor (1911/1934, p. 7)
Management theory, it seems, is in the throes of a revolution. "Rather than seeking uniformity and control," Denhardt (1993) explains,
Managers are talking about adaptability, creativity, and shared power. Rather than depending on traditional hierarchical forms of organizations, managers are experimenting with flatter structures and more participatory ways of organizing. . For this reason, they are shifting their focus from giving orders to promoting dialogue and innovation. (pp. 1-2)
But as is often the case, upon closer examination this new order turns out to be not as new as it seems.