Managing uncertainty: lessons from Xenophon's retreat

Abstract

Purpose

The article's purpose is to address complementary perspectives for managing uncertainty by looking at a historical example.

Design/methodology/approach

This is done using a case study of the experience of ancient Greek mercenaries that fought in and out of Persia over two years and approximately 2,000 miles.

Findings

An unexpected finding is that the size of an organization can be instrumental to its environment fit.

Research limitations/implications

An implication is that the application of existing models to the historical example suggests existing perspectives of change do not appear adequate individually in explaining or preparing organizations for change.

Practical implications

A wider implication of the study involves confirming the need for research and society to better understand the role of organization politics in outcomes.

Originality/value

The study uses a unique historical example to examine organizational responses to uncertainty that range between rational and haphazard explanations and it offers insights for management thought and practice today.

Citation

King, D.R. (2013), "Managing uncertainty: lessons from Xenophon's retreat", Journal of Management History, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 377-393. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-10-2011-0032