Chapter 2: The Taylorism-Fayolism- Weberism Virus

I would not have been allowed to cross the border into the United States borders with a physical virus. When the custom agents questioned me upon arrival, I had to explain that the vaccine I was importing to America was SEAM, invented by Henri Savall—and spreading SEAM in America may prove to be a major contribution to U.S. businesses and organizations and their management.

The inception of the Taylor-Fayol-Weber (TFW) virus metaphor in 1973 stemmed from Henri Savall's critical reflection on the management sciences. Savall's early work criticized the world-wide dissemination of flawed management analysis and decision-making models that were shaped by a particular mindset. This mindset, which reflects much of what still happens in today's society and management practice, is deeply rooted in this TFW virus. Basically, this virus is an ideology that has contaminated structures and behaviors in every kind of organization. And it is all that more serious when one considers the myriad ways through which it is inoculated, from training programs and management education and practices, to mentoring.