1. Thesis Statement and Structure Advanced Inquiry Spring 2006

2. Adam Smith’s metaphor of the ‘invisible hand’ does not appear directly in management texts, but the underlying idea that each of us naturally acts out of self-interest does. Smith’s metaphor, and by extension management texts, limits creativity in management practices. Section 1: What is Adam Smith’s metaphor of the ‘invisible hand’ ? Section 2: What versions or ideas from this metaphor appear in management texts? Section 3: How are management practices limited by this?

3. Section 1: What is Adam Smith’s metaphor of the ‘invisible hand’ ? Thesis Statement: In contemporary culture, Adam Smith’s metaphor of the ‘invisible hand’ stands for the notion that each of us is “naturally” driven by self- interest. Further, it says when individuals follow that “natural” drive, their actions benefit society, albeit unintentionally.

4. In contemporary culture, Adam Smith’s metaphor of the ‘invisible hand’ stands for the notion that each of us is “naturally” driven by self-interest. Further, it says when individuals follow that “natural” drive, their actions benefit society, albeit unintentionally. I.The metaphor in context II.The metaphor’s meaning III.Meaning of the word ‘natural’ for Smith’s time IV.Concept of unintentional consequences I.As a matter of individual activity II.As a matter of government policy

5. Section 2: What versions or ideas from this metaphor appear in management texts ? Thesis Statement: Contemporary management texts do not typically use Smith’s metaphor directly, but it is not unusual to find references to the ‘universal law of reciprocity,’ the need to appeal to self-interest in employees, and the likelihood that self-interest governs the behavior and ethics of employees.

6. Contemporary management texts do not typically use Smith’s metaphor directly, but it is not unusual to find references to the ‘universal law of reciprocity,’ the need to appeal to self-interest in employees, and the likelihood that self-interest governs the behavior and ethics of employees. I.How/why self-interest arises in management texts. II.Examples of ‘universal law of reciprocity’ III.Examples of appeals to self-interest IV.Examples of self-interest governing behavior/ethics

7. Section 3: How are management practices limited by this? Thesis Statement: Management policies reflect, often without conscious thought, assumptions about human nature. These assumptions, based on ideas founded the values of advanced capitalist Western culture, tend to discount collaborative, non-competitive ways of working.

8. Management policies reflect, often without conscious thought, assumptions about human nature. These assumptions, based on ideas founded the values of advanced capitalist Western culture, tend to discount collaborative, non-competitive ways of working. I.Examples of management policies based on these assumptions—explicate the relationship between assumptions and the policy. II.Connection between the assumptions and adv. Capitalist culture. III.Analysis that demonstrates exclusion of collaborative, non-competitive ways of working.

9. Main Thesis Statement Adam Smith’s metaphor of the ‘invisible hand’ does not appear directly in management texts, but the underlying idea that each of us naturally acts out of self-interest does. Smith’s metaphor, and by extension management texts, limits creativity in management practices. Section 1 Thesis Statement Smith’s metaphor as a ‘natural’ drive the core capitalist ideology that humans are primarily driven by self interest. Section 2 Thesis Statement Contemporary management text use of the idea self- interest in Smith’s metaphor neglects the possibility that human beings have other motivations. Section 3 Thesis Statement Management practices based on assumptions implied by Smith’s metaphor neglects nurturing creativity as source of employee motivation.

10. Main Thesis Statement Adam Smith’s metaphor of the ‘invisible hand’ does not appear directly in management texts, but the underlying idea that each of us naturally acts out of self-interest does. Smith’s metaphor, and by extension management texts, limits creativity in management practices. Section 1 Thesis Statement Smith’s metaphor as a ‘natural’ drive the core capitalist ideology that humans are primarily driven by self interest. Section 2 Thesis Statement Contemporary management text use of the idea self-interest in Smith’s metaphor neglects the possibility that human beings have other motivations. Section 3 Thesis Statement Management practices based on assumptions implied by Smith’s metaphor neglects nurturing creativity as source of employee motivation.