Management Theory: Jungle, Myth, or Hoax?
提出用“骗局”隐喻替代“丛林”和“神话”来理解主流管理理论，分析其四个特征：虚假、控制幻想、压制批判反思和常态化犬儒主义，并探讨其对重大挑战研究、批判管理研究及管理教育的意义。
Two stories, revolving around the metaphors of jungle and myth, dominate accounts of mainstream management theory (MMT). An alternative metaphor, the hoax, is proposed as an alternative. Drawing parallels with the fable of the Emperor’s New Clothes, the analysis revives an explicit engagement of metaphors to theorize MMT as a phenomenon of interest. Four features of hoaxes relevant for theorizing MMT are proposed and explicated: mendacity; fantasies of control; stifling critical reflection; and normalized cynicism. The relevance of the hoax metaphor is further demonstrated by addressing its status as theory; its relevance to the study of “grand challenges”; the possibility of reconciling MMT and critical management studies (CMS); and the future of management education.