Mary, Mary, quite contrary: In a male‐dominated field, women contributed by bringing a touch of spirituality to early management theory and practice

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to depict the pivotal roles played by Mary Parker Follett and Mary Barnett Gilson, as they uniquely contributed to early management thought, theory, and practice through “spirituality” despite the chauvinism of their day.

Design/methodology/approach

Synthesizing articles from history journals, writings about the figures of interest, annals, published works by the figures themselves, and other resources; this paper illustrates how the input of Follett and Gilson made distinctive and valuable contributions to the management field.

Findings

This research concludes that Follett and Gilson, although from the mid‐nineteenth to mid‐twentieth century, when men were dominant in any arena relating to management, were responsive to their “spiritual” insight despite its contrariness to the credence of their day. Consequently, they initiated an understanding that significantly impacted management theory and practice. Their perceptive revelations also led to changing mindsets and actions that influenced the wellbeing of organizations, as well as their employees.

Originality/value

During this era, although not widely publicized, the “weaker” sex did make its mark. This is the first paper to examine, from a “spiritual” viewpoint, the contributions of these members of the “weaker” sex to management history.

Citation

Phipps, S.T.A. (2011), "Mary, Mary, quite contrary: In a male‐dominated field, women contributed by bringing a touch of spirituality to early management theory and practice", Journal of Management History, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 270-281. https://doi.org/10.1108/17511341111141350