Evaluation of the influence of management fads in adoption of management tools in supermarket chains of Santa Catarina

Abstract

The systematic challenge for the conquest and retention of customers has produced a literary market of management gurus and quacks who have won generous space in bookstores to sell magic formulas in an attempt to transform business management into an exact science. This study investigated the largest supermarket chains in Santa Catarina to determine criteria that led managers to choose the management tools adopted and whether fads influence this choice. Research was conducted using a multi-case study with data collected by semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The sample was based upon data provided by the"Associação Catarinense de Supermercados (ACATS)", Santa Catarina Association of Supermarkets from which the ten largest supermarket chains of Santa Catarina were selected. Results show that their management models are tailored to immediate needs, without planning and that the chains are family-run, conservative and reactive. There is a strong coalition among them and tools of management adopted by most of them revealed a homogeneous origin as well as similar reasons for adopting them, indicating a strong influence of business fads