Human Nature and Teaching Management Theories

Abstract

Ghoshal (2005) spurred considerable discussion with his pronouncement that “Bad Management Theories Are Destroying Good Management Practices,” using agency theory to exemplify how theories with negative assumptions about people perpetuate the behaviors that inspired those assumptions. According to Ghoshal, teaching that managers maximize their own interests legitimizes such behavior to students, therefore shaping future norms. This article proposes to summarize and respond to Ghoshal’s arguments, then discuss the implications for pedagogy and make recommendations, emphasizing that although secular management teaching can improve, only by incorporating a Christian view of human nature can management students develop an accurate and ethical worldview.