The Dilbert Principle

The Dilbert Principle refers to a 1990s satirical theory stating that companies should promote their worst employees to managerial positions so as to prevent them from directly affecting the consumer's experience.

Related Topics:
1990s - Satirical - Companies

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term was coined by Scott Adams, an MBA graduate from Berkeley and creator of the Dilbert comic strip. Adams explained the principle in a 1996 Wall Street Journal article. Adams expanded his study of the Dilbert Principle in a satirical 1996 book of the same name, which is required or recommended reading at some management and business programs. http://mot.berkeley.edu/Berkeley_Students/Students/Courses/Course_Descriptions/proj_mgmt_syll.pdf http://www.cs.colorado.edu/~hendrixs/classes/readings.html http://www.ume.maine.edu/~pubadmin/kn/words/400syl1.htm http://engr.smu.edu/~frailey/cse7315/syllabus.htm http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/holt/em501/em501.htm The book has sold more than a million copies and was on the New York Times bestseller list for 43 weeks.

Related Topics:
Scott Adams - Berkeley - Dilbert - Comic strip - Wall Street Journal - Satirical - 1996 - Management - Business programs

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although academics may reject the principle's veracity, noting that it is at odds with traditional human resources management techniques, it originated as a form of satire that addressed a much-discussed issue in the business world. The theory has since garnered some support from business and management. For example, Guy Kawasaki of Apple Computer said: "There are two types of companies. Those that recognize that they are just like Dilbert and those that are also like Dilbert but don't know it yet."

Related Topics:
Human resources management - Guy Kawasaki - Apple Computer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Dilbert Principle is a variation of the Peter Principle. The Peter Principle addresses the practice of hierarchical organizations (such as companies and corporations) that use promotions as a way to reward employees that excel at their current position. It goes on to state that, due to this practice, a competent employee will eventually be promoted to, and remain at, a position at which he or she is incompetent.

Related Topics:
Peter Principle - Hierarchical organization

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~