Management in Popular Culture

8/14/2019 Management in Popular Culture

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Management in Popular Culture

Question:

What management insights are available in various elements of our

popular culture an reflected in our everyday living?

Research Directions:

Read the comics looking for management themes. Compare and contrast

management and working in two or three popular comic strips.

Watch a film or video. Again. Find examples of management and work

themes. In a report describe the message of the movie in respect tomanagement and work today.

Read a best-selling novel. Find examples of management and work

themes in the novel. Report on what the authors characters and their

experiences say about people at work.

Listen to music. Pick out themes that reflect important management

concepts and theories. Put them together in a multimedia report that

presents your music choices and describes there messages about

management and working today.

Watch television. Look again for the management themes. In a report,describe what popular television programs have to say about

management and working. Also consider TV advertisements. How do

they use and present workplace themes to help communicate their

messages?


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Comic Strips reflecting Management

Luann(comic strip)

Luannis asyndicatednewspapercomic striplaunched by North America Syndicate on

March 17, 1985.Luannis written and drawn byGreg Evans,who won the 2003Reuben

Awardas Cartoonist of the Year. The strip is currently syndicated by Universal Uclick

(GoComics.com/Luann). I have collected some samples of that comic strip which enlightens

the management terms.

This is a good example of bad management. The above picture from the strip shows that this is

a Toxic Workplace which treats their employees as cost. On the other side that man is

basically the entire Intellectual Capitalfor the organization who doubled the cost. But

contrary giving him credit and Motivationfor what he did the manager firing him from his

job. On the same time Glass-Ceiling effectis also arises which means manager is a barrier for

minor employee keeps minorities from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder,

regardless of their qualifications or achievements.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print_syndicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print_syndicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print_syndicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_striphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_striphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_striphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Evans_(cartoonist)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Evans_(cartoonist)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Evans_(cartoonist)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Evans_(cartoonist)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_striphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print_syndication


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Dilbert(comic strip)

Dilbertis an Americancomic stripwritten and drawn by Scott Adam The strip hasspawned several books, ananimated television series,avideo game,and hundreds of

Dilbert-themedmerchandise items. Dilbert Future and The Joy of Work are among the

most read books in the series, first published on April 16, 1989. There is a sample of this

comic strip.

This strip shows that the employee is committed with his work but Unity of Commandis

applied there which means manager is a person who command in a same direction, if he

says no than its mean finally NO. this is not a Open System Organizationwhich interact

with their environment. This strip shows that the manager has some personal differences

with his employee so despite of doing the task on right time he will not be awarded by any

increment; this is also a Glass-Ceiling Effect. This type of manager is Theory-Xmanager screaming at his employees.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_striphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_striphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_striphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(TV_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert%27s_Desktop_Gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert%27s_Desktop_Gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(TV_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_strip


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Movies reflecting Management

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol

Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol(also known as Mission: Impossible IV, or Mission:

Impossible IV Ghost Protocol) is a 2011 Americanaction film.It is the fourth film in

theMission: Impossibleseries.It starsTom Cruise,who reprises his role ofIMFAgentEthan

Hunt,and is directorBrad Bird's first live-action film.

Explanation:

This movie relates with many management terms that how

impressively Tom Cruise Motivatehis team as a manager.At the time when they failed to achieve their task Tom as a

Theory-Ymanager makes them realize that you are capableof doing this task. He has faith on his members and there is no

Scalar Chain Principleor Unity of Commandwhich

restrict the members to follow one single person.Create a

work environment that is performance-driven and provides

satisfaction for workers. He has given the liberty to his

members to work with willingness and share their views for

the plans. Due to the Open system Culture Tom and his

workforce has achieved their task successfully at the end of

the movie.

The Avengers(2012 film)

Marvel's The Avengers(classified under the name Marvel

Avengers Assemblein the UK and Ireland),or simply The

Avengers, is a 2012 Americansuperhero filmproduced

byMarvel Studiosand distributed byWalt Disney Studios

Motion Pictures,

based on theMarvel Comicssuperheroteamof the same name.In the film,Nick Fury,director of the

peacekeeping organizationS.H.I.E.L.D.,recruitsIron

Man,Captain America,theHulk,andThorto form a team that

must stop Thor's adoptive brotherLokifrom subjugating

Earth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_filmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_filmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_filmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Cruisehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Cruisehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Cruisehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_Missions_Forcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_Missions_Forcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_Missions_Forcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Hunthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Hunthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Hunthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Hunthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superhero_filmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superhero_filmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superhero_filmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Studioshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Studioshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Studioshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Studios_Motion_Pictureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Studios_Motion_Pictureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Studios_Motion_Pictureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Studios_Motion_Pictureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Comicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Comicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Comicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Furyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Furyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Furyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.H.I.E.L.D.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.H.I.E.L.D.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.H.I.E.L.D.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Manhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Manhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Manhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Manhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(Marvel_Comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(Marvel_Comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(Marvel_Comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loki_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(Marvel_Comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Manhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Manhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.H.I.E.L.D.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Furyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers_(comics)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Comicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Studios_Motion_Pictureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Studios_Motion_Pictureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Studioshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superhero_filmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Hunthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Hunthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impossible_Missions_Forcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Cruisehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_film


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Explanation:

This movie is based on how they manage their organization to achieve the entire goal. Nick

Furry the director of Peacekeeping Organization; He is aHigh Performing Manager who

builds working relationship with others. Help his team to develop their skills. Nick hires

those competent persons who are eligible for that task. He follow the management processin which first he Planthe objectives and determine what actions should be taken toaccomplish them his plan was to diminish every peaceful activity from the world. After

Planninghe has Organizehis objectives by giving task to the best people he hired for

the organization to work on that plans, than he Lead by arousing his peoples enthusiasmto work hard to accomplish objectives. In the end he Controlthe whole system by taking

precautionary measures. Basically he hired those persons who have Managerial

Competency. Those people he hired are basically the Project Managersbecause they

have a complex project with a deadline. The Director itself was a Theory-Ymanager, bysuch a good management theory they achieved their goals to be successful in their mission.

Novels reflecting Management

The Goal(novel)

The Goalis a management-oriented novel by Dr.Eliyahu M. Goldratt,a business consultant

whoseTheory of Constraintshas become a model for systems management. It was

originally published in 1984 and has since been revised and republished in 1992 and 2004.

This book is usually used in college courses and in the business world for case studies in

operations management, with a focus geared towards the Theory of Constraints,

bottlenecks and how to alleviate them, and applications of these concepts in real life.

The novel explores the life of Alex Rogo a recently transferred

manager of one of the plants of UniCo Manufacturing

Corporation, located in a slowly declining industrial town. The

authors use of real life situations to write a business fiction

was ingenious.

Alexs plant performance has been gradually sinking into a hole

that is not profiting UniCo. The plant must both get theshipments out and start showing an income or the plant will be

closed in 3 months. Alex gathers his department heads into a

team. Alex and his team threw out a lot of questions

concerning daily operations, procedures and in some cases

abandoned company policies to try new methods.The story of

Alex's fight to save his plant is more than compulsive reading. It

contains a serious message for all managers in industry and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliyahu_M._Goldratthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliyahu_M._Goldratthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliyahu_M._Goldratthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Constraintshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Constraintshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Constraintshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_Constraintshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliyahu_M._Goldratt


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explains the ideas which underline the Theory of Constraints (TOC) developed by

Eli Goldratt.The author was able to teach many aspects for identifying problems

and possible solutions any corporate office might could utilize to improve

overall performance management processes. He points out that lengthy studies and

reports used for management may be just paper generating and not a good measurement

of events really occurring. I feel he is identifying a large problem in stating with companyguidelines and policies constraints that are in place only limits the mind of its employees.

Lean in (Novel)

Thirty years after women became 50 percent of the

college graduates in the United States, men still hold the

vast majority of leadership positions in government and

industry. This means that womens voices are still not

heard equally in the decisions that most affect our lives.

In Lean In,Sheryl Sandberg examines why womens

progress in achieving leadership roles has stalled,

explains the root causes, and offers compelling,

commonsense solutions that can empower women to

achieve their full potential.

In Lean In,Sandberg digs deeper into these issues,

combining personal anecdotes, hard data, and compellingresearch to cut through the layers of ambiguity and bias

surrounding the lives and choices of working women.

She recounts her own decisions, mistakes, and daily

struggles to make the right choices for herself, her career,

and her family. She provides practical advice on

negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a

satisfying career, urging women to set boundaries and to

abandon the myth of having it all. She describes specific steps women can take to

combine professional achievement with personal fulfillment and demonstrates how men

can benefit by supporting women in the workplace and at home.

Written with both humor and wisdom,Sandbergs book is an inspiring call to action and a

blueprint for individual growth. Lean Inis destined to change the conversation from what

women cant doto what they can. Actually this novel describes mainly that we must

remove Glass-Ceiling Effect .


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Music that reflects Management Theories

Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue. Music

motivates individuals or a group of people to work enthusiastically to achieve their goals.Some of the music which reflects management are as follows.

I Believe I can fly R. Kelly

Some managers are so full of themselves they really do believe that so great are their

growing powers that flying is just around the corner. They are Ethno-Centric.

"I believe I can fly

I believe I can touch the sky

I think about it every night and day"

Bridge over Troubled water Simon and Garfunkel

Every big organization has a touchy feely manager who cares deeply about their staffs

feelings. They believe that Open Door Policymust be implemented in the organization.

"When you're weary, feeling small

When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all

I'm on your side, when times get rough

and friends just can't be found"

Another One Bites the Dust Queen

A taunting duet sung by line managers and neo-fascist HR managers following disciplinary

action, 'voluntary' resignations and restructuring of workers. When the 'red mist'comes

down and they smell blood, nothing gets in the way.

"Another one bites the dust

And another one gone,

and another one goneAnother one bites the dust

Hey, I'm gonna get you too

Another one bites the dust"


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Whip It Devo

Classic managementanthem often heard being sung in 'house bars' late at night during

'conferences'. Psychologists suggest this is an outlet for managers' basic fantasies of

domination, controland dehumanizing of the workers. Employment law doesn't allow

them to do it in real life.

"Now whip it into shape

shape it up get straight

go forward move ahead

try to detect it it's not too late

to whip it whip it good"

Help The Beatles

The mid-life crisis song for managers. Desperate to get something done in a hurry and

incapable of practical action themselves they sing this song, hoping someone will answer.

They are actually Theory-Xmanagers who treat their employees as irresponsible

workers.

"When I was younger, so much younger than today

I never needed anybody's help in any way

But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured"

Television Programs reflects Management Theories

Dilbert (comic strip)

The strip has spawned several books, ananimated television series,avideo game,and

hundreds of Dilbert-themedmerchandiseitems. Dilbert Future and The Joy of Work are

among the most read books in the series. Adams has also received theNational Cartoonist

SocietyReuben Awardand Newspaper Comic Strip Award in 1997 for his work on the

strip.

The comic strip originally revolved aroundDilbertand his "pet" dogDogbertin their home.

Many plots revolved around Dilbert's engineer nature or his bizarre inventions. Also

prominent were plots based on Dogbert'smegalomaniacalambitions. Later, the location of

most of the action moved to Dilbert's workplace, and the strip started tosatirize
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(TV_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(TV_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(TV_series)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert%27s_Desktop_Gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert%27s_Desktop_Gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert%27s_Desktop_Gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cartoonist_Societyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cartoonist_Societyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cartoonist_Societyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(character)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(character)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(character)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogberthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogberthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogberthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalomaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalomaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalomaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalomaniahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogberthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(character)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cartoonist_Societyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Cartoonist_Societyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchandisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert%27s_Desktop_Gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilbert_(TV_series)


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technology, workplace, and company issues. The comic strip's popular success is

attributable to its workplace setting and themes, which are familiar to a large and

appreciative audience; Adams has said that switching the setting from Dilbert's

home to his office was "when the strip really started to take off. The workplace

location isSilicon Valley.

Dilbertportrays corporate culture as aKafkaesqueworld ofbureaucracyfor its own sakeand office politics that stand in the way of productivity, where employees' skills and efforts

are not rewarded, andbusy workis praised. Much of the humor emerges as the audience

sees the characters making obviously ridiculous decisions that are natural reactions

tomismanagement.

Themes explored include:

Engineers' personal traits

Idiosyncrasyof style

Hopelessness in dating (and general lack ofsocial skills

Attraction to tools and technological products

Business ethics

Esotericism

Incompetent andsadisticmanagement

Scheduling and budgeting without reference to reality

Failure to reward success or penalize laziness

Penalizing employees for failures caused by bad management

Micromanagement

Failure to improve others' morale, lowering it instead

Failure to communicate objectives

The Management Advantage TV show

The Management Advantage is the original TV show solely dedicated to wildlife

management and land conservation. Viewers will gain the knowledge needed to create

their own land and wildlife sanctuary. In this show people learn how management helpsthem to relate in their daily life.

Conclusion:

Management is everywhere in our culture. If we look around we can get many management

terms related to our daily life. So we should know about all these terms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valleyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valleyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valleyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafkaesquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafkaesquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafkaesquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureaucracyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureaucracyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureaucracyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busy_workhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busy_workhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busy_workhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiosyncrasyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiosyncrasyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_skillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_skillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_skillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esotericismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esotericismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadistic_personality_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadistic_personality_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadistic_personality_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micromanagementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micromanagementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micromanagementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadistic_personality_disorderhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esotericismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_skillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiosyncrasyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Managementhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busy_workhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureaucracyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafkaesquehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valley

Management in Popular Culture

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