'The Functions of the Executive' at 75: An Invitation to Reconsider a Timeless Classic

Joseph T. Mahoney and Paul Godfrey
Additional contact information
Joseph T. Mahoney: University of IL
Paul Godfrey: Brigham Young University

Working Papers from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Business

Abstract: The year 2013 marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of Chester I. Barnard's classic, 'The Functions of the Executive', a groundbreaking contribution to management theory. We maintain that Barnard's work provides a valuable perspective on the causes and potential solutions to challenges facing capitalism, business, and management consequent to the scandals and financial crises of the early 21st century. We suggest that Barnard would see a systemic failure of the moral dimension of organization as a driver of these crises. We look back on 'The Functions' and provide a review of key elements of Barnard's theory of organization. We then look forward from 'The Functions' and see unique insights and solutions into the ongoing challenges of managerial morality.

Date: 2014
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his and nep-hpe
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.business.illinois.edu/Working_Papers/Abstract.asp?PaperID=14-0100
Our link check indicates that this URL is bad, the error code is: 404 Not Found (https://www.business.illinois.edu/Working_Papers/Abstract.asp?PaperID=14-0100 [301 Moved Permanently]--> https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/Working_Papers/Abstract.asp?PaperID=14-0100)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ecl:illbus:14-0100

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Working Papers from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Business Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by ().