The goose that laid the golden egg?: a rhetorical critique of Stephen Covey and the effectiveness movement

Article Abstract:

Through his best-selling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (1989, Simon & Schuster), and subsequent publications, Stephen Covey has established himself as the pre-eminent management guru in North America. While there are clear similarities between the 'Effectiveness' movement he has spawned and competing organizational improvement programmes such as excellence, TQM, and reengineering, there are also some important differences in how this movement has been rhetorically constructed, the manner in which it has been organized and the ideological roots upon which it is based. The paper draws on Ernest Bormann's fantasy theme analysis to develop a distinctively dramatistic rhetorical critique of this movement. Three primary fantasy themes are identified that, it is argued, underpin the rhetorical appeal of Covey's work to the individuals who follow and the organizations that sponsor him. The paper lends further support to the emerging argument that, in order to properly appreciate the broad appeal of gurus in management and other fields, we need to better understand how their work resonates with the material, existential and spiritual needs of individuals that are peculiar to the late modern age. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Management Theory & Techniques, Bibliography, Covey, Stephen, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Book)

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'We are all customers now...' Rhetorical strategy and ideological control in marketing management texts

Article Abstract:

The terminology utilized in UK college textbooks for marketing management courses is analyzed.

Book publishing, Book Publishers, Marketing Management, Administration of Marketing, College Textbooks, Study and teaching, Terminology

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Strategy in the public sector: management in the wilderness

Article Abstract:

National park administration in the UK and USA are compared and contrasted.

United States, Public Finance Activities, Management dynamics, Land, mineral, wildlife conservation, Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions, National Parks, Public Administration-Total Govt, Public Administration, Case studies, National parks and reserves, Company business management, Public sector

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