In the business world,
managers are always looking for answers to administrative problems. Trade magazines, seminars, and journals bring
the latest trends promising simple answers to complex problems (Miller, 2002).
These fads in business can at times have unintended effects on
organizations. An organization can be
change for the better or worse. Fads in business share some similar qualities
that make them easily identifiable (Miller, 2002).
Most fads are very easy to understand, easy to apply, use
buzzwords, and apply to multiple organizations (Miller, 2002). They often promise extraordinary results,
great customer service, more motivated staff, and greater productivity (Miller,
2002). Universally a fad is relevant to
all business organizations (Miller, 2002). Fads often present themselves as new
ideas, when in fact they are often long-standing management practices,
re-implemented in a different manner (Miller, 2002). Fads do not have empirical
evidence to support their claims (Miller, 2002).
Many of the latest fads in business have legitimate
business practices and techniques that a leader can find useful, but they fail
to provide longstanding effects in an organization (Daft, 2013). One reason for
this is the leaders try to find a quick fix’s to organizational problems and
only learn the very surface of new ideas in leadership (Miller, 2002). Often times fads used in companies can have
negative impacts that the manger does not intend, because of this sallow
approach to applying organizational theory (Daft, 2013). After the novelty of
the new ideas wears off the lack of substance is easily observe and the idea is
abandoned (Miller, 2002). One common problem with frequently changing
management techniques is staff loses motivation, because they believe this is
just the next trend and will not last (Daft, 2013). Applying management trends
without truly understanding them can be detrimental to a company because of the
time and expense used in training staff is wasted (Miller, 2002).
Management fads can have some positive effects on
business. Often, new trends in business
provoke thought and discussion about leadership (Miller, 2002). Most management
trends do have some substance (Miller, 2002). If a manager takes the time to
truly, learn the management theory or trend it could improve his or her skills
as a leader (Miller, 2002). Management fads help organizations question the
status quo and poor business practices (Miller, 2002). Novel management trends
create excitement and motivation, which is necessary for any positive change
within an organization (Miller, 2002).
Management fads can have positive impacts on an
organization if leaders keep in mind a few hard and fast truths. A manager
should read and learn as much about a management tool as possible prior to
applying it (Miller, 2002). When a leader learns about any new trends in
business he or she should read and learn about new techniques from multiple
books, journals, speakers and educational venues (Miller, 2002). Leaders should
understand that a management trend should be used as, a tool to create intended
results, but solid company values should be the foundation of any corporation
(Miller, 2002). Any tool that is used
within an organization should add value or it should be
discontinued (Miller, 2002).
References