Models, styles and metaphors: understanding the management of discipline

This article looks at discipline as a workplace issue, considers what is meant by good industrial relations, and how the effective management of discipline can contribute to positive workplace relationships. It argues that the punitive, corrective and revisionist models of discipline do not provide a satisfactory explanation of managerial behaviour. It contends that valuable and relevant insights can be provided by McGregor’s classic study on management. Finally, the article considers the value of metaphor as a means of understanding organisational behaviour, and utilises four animal metaphors to describe and prescribe four distinct types of management conduct in disciplinary situations.