A management fad is a new management technique or ideas that becomes popular for a short period of time. Many management fads are based on latest management theories. Management fad usually diffuses quickly through an organization as senior managers try to adopt it to show that they are open to new ideas and keeping up with the latest management thinking. However, many management fads are not based on solid research and often disappear as quickly as they appeared.
There are several reasons why management fads become popular. First, top management may feel the need to change the direction of the organization due to poor performance, declining market share, or other reasons. They may believe that adopting a new management approach will be the silver bullet that will turn things around. Second, management fads often promise easy and quick solutions to complex management problems. In today’s fast-paced and competitive business environment, who doesn’t want a quick fix? Finally, management fads can be seductive. They often come with catchy names and slogans, and they are often promoted by charismatic gurus. It is not surprising that many managers get caught up in the hype and fail to critically evaluate the merits of the new management approach.
Despite their popularity, management fads often fail to deliver on their promises. This is because they are often based on faulty assumptions and oversimplify complex management problems. In addition, management fads tend to be short-lived because they lack staying power. Once the initial excitement wears off, many management fads are quickly forgotten.
So, why do management fads continue to be so popular? I believe there are two main reasons. First, senior management is under pressure to show that they are doing something to improve the performance of the organization. They may feel that they need to be seen to be keeping up with the latest management thinking, even if the new management approach is not well researched or thought out. Second, many management fads are promoted by charismatic gurus who are skilled at marketing their ideas. They often make bold claims about the benefits of their management approach, and they are often very convincing. As a result, many managers get caught up in the hype and fail to critically evaluate the merits of the new management approach.