Understanding Management: Social Science Foundations

Management is a fragmented and interdisciplinary area of study, with many academic branches. Willman argues this tree is narrower at its roots, which lie primarily in social science. The book aims to present management theory as applied social science.

Developed from a core management course at Master's level, this book introduces the field to students with little prior knowledge of management. Willman interprets 'management' broadly to include strategy, finance, accounting, marketing, organizational behavior, and operations management. It shows how these sub-disciplines arose and relate to each other.

The book is integrative, finding common concerns across disciplines, and critical, evaluating contributions based on theory and practical impact. It aims to be accessible, presenting technical content informally, and is introductory, assuming no prior management knowledge.