Controversy in German Management: The Harzburg Model Experience

American managers and management scholars have been attempting to maintain and enhance worker productivity by importing Japanese methodology. A similar situation exists in Germany, where conflicting concepts of and approaches to effective management in business firms and public organizations have be...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Academy of Management review 1983-04, Vol.8 (2), p.233
Main Authors: Grunwald, Wolfgang, Bernthal, Wilmar F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cross cultural management
Delegation of authority
Job descriptions
Leadership
Management
Managers
Organization theory
Participatory management
Studies
Theory
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:American managers and management scholars have been attempting to maintain and enhance worker productivity by importing Japanese methodology. A similar situation exists in Germany, where conflicting concepts of and approaches to effective management in business firms and public organizations have been debated for over 10 years. The debate focuses on the ''Harzburg Model'' for management effectiveness. German management researchers have challenged the model on ideological and behavioral grounds. Its critics suggest an alternate humanistic form of participative leadership, but many German managers prefer a model that allows greater management control. The evolution and theory of the Harzburg Model is summarized, as well as the ideological controversy and organization theory concerns surrounding its use. Management experience with the model and its implications for German management and cross-cultural management are described. American managers and researchers may find it beneficial to collaborate with German management theorists in developing leadership models which will contribute to increased worker satisfaction and productivity within the value framework of Western industrial societies.
ISSN:0363-7425
1930-3807
DOI:10.2307/257750