Academic Influence

This chapter aims to clarify how Barnard was influenced by academic research in building his theory of organization and management. It examines what literature Barnard referred to in his unpublished manuscripts before publishing The Functions of the Executives; it then identifies what literature was cited in The Functions of the Executives and clarifies the impact on Barnard’s theory. As a conclusion, the chapter points out that Barnard was in tune with Whitehead’s philosophy of the organism; he refined his conceptual scheme on the basis of Henderson’s suggestions; and Barnard shared his views on organization with Ehrlich, Pareto, Commons, Brown, Koffka, and so on. In addition, the chapter confirms that Barnard was familiar with the research of the Human Relations School and that he exchanged his views with the researchers directly at research meetings, but that Barnard emphasized the difference between their views. Thus, it is true that Barnard’ s theory of organization and management is largely based on his experience and observation; however, he explored research that fits with his experience and simultaneously attempted to develop his theory on the basis of academic research.