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Sherlock Holmes and the adventure of the rational manager: organizational reason and its discontents

Author

Listed:
  • Jerzy Kociatkiewicz

    (Essex Business School - University of Essex)

  • Monika Kostera

    (Faculty of Management [Warsaw] - UW - University of Warsaw, Linnaeus University)

Abstract

Rationality has since long been one of the central been issues in the discourse of management. Among the classics voices propagating a reductionist rationalism dominated and there are still many contexts where such a view is taken for granted. On the other hand, critics since the times of classics have been arguing for a less linear approach to management and management thinking. However, little attention has been paid to some of the di erent dimensions of management rationality, such as imagination. is paper sets out to address this gap in knowledge through presenting a narrative study focused on a literary character well known for his rationality, Sherlock Holmes, and revealing that this, to many, very epitome of rationality is actually an example of an extended type of rationality, including imagination. Following the ctional protagonist of our study, we consider some aspects of its relevance for management thought and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Jerzy Kociatkiewicz & Monika Kostera, 2012. "Sherlock Holmes and the adventure of the rational manager: organizational reason and its discontents," Post-Print hal-02423778, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02423778
    DOI: 10.1016/j.scaman.2012.01.003
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-02423778
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Taylor, Frederick Winslow, 1911. "The Principles of Scientific Management," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, number taylor1911.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jerzy Kociatkiewicz & Monika Kostera, 2012. "The good manager : an archetypical quest for morally sustainable leadership," Post-Print hal-02423779, HAL.
    2. Jerzy Kociatkiewicz & Monika Kostera, 2024. "Writing Differently: On the Constraints and Possibilities of Presenting Research Rooted in Feminist Epistemologies," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 284-304, January.

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