Management and music: the exceptional case of the IBM songbook

Citation

El-Sawad, A. (2007), "Management and music: the exceptional case of the IBM songbook", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 15 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2007.04415dad.003

Management and music: the exceptional case of the IBM songbook

Management and music: the exceptional case of the IBM songbook

El-Sawad A., Korczynski M. Group & Organization Management (USA), February 2007, Vol. 32 No. 1: p. 79 (30 pages)

Purpose – studies how the IBM songbook was used by managers to enthuse and engage employees, looking at why it was used and why it was eventually discarded. Uses this to consider why managers rarely use music to engage workers. Design/methodology/approach – sets out the chronology of the use of the IBM songbook. Analyses the lyrics of the songs, noting the references to family, loyalty, product superiority, among other things, the ways in which these reflect the company emphasis on paternalism, evangelism, and work ethic, and how they are designed to develop a sense of patriotism, nostalgia and optimism. Discusses how the music that the lyrics were set to contributed to their impact. Sets out why the use of the songbook was gradually discontinued after the 1950s. Findings , argues the use of the songbook at IBM reflected the paternalism of the founder of IBM, Thomas J. Watson, and succeeded because the songs resonated with the workforce at the time. Sees the songbook’s success as making it an exceptional case. Research limitations/implications – quotes extensively from the songbook to illustrate the arguments. Originality/value – examines why IBM’s use of company songs should be successful.Research paperReference 36AE980

Keywords: Corporate culture, Motivation, Music, United States of America