Special Issue of Industrial Marketing Management
Introduction
B2B Marketing 50 years after Lindblom; Deadline 1 Apr 2007
: : : Posting
: : cfp
Date: Tue, 2 May 2006 10:07:34 -0400
From: "Peter LaPlaca" <pjlaplaca@snet.net>
Industrial Marketing Management
Call for Papers
B2B Marketing 50 years after Lindblom
In 2009 we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the seminal paper written by Charles Lindblom on “Scientific Muddling.” Although that paper was written as an analysis of decision making in policy development, it has found wider application in management and is considered one of the classics in management literature. A special issue of Industrial Marketing Management would be a fitting recognition of this anniversary.
In that regard, we are soliciting papers in which Lindblomian processes seem to affect B2B interactions. Lindblom’s papers on scientific muddling (Lindblom 1979, 1959) taught an approach to optimal decision making in the absence of initial, quantifiable objectives. That is, ends and means become intertwined. One is thus left to “muddle-through” (1959) or “incrementalize” (1979) one’s way to progress. It might also be noted further that in the treatment of “real” decision-making, there is a class of “non-rational” problems in which “the problem (or opportunity)” is in fact a cluster of interlocking problems (opportunities) with interdependent solutions (Braybrooke and Lindblom, 1963, 54-56). In turn, “the solution” is one that provides some reconciliation for the diverse sources of the interlocking problems in a way that provides some satisfaction for each. In effect, this description describes the situation under which many B2B interactions are developed. It would seem that studies relating (but not limited) to strategy development, technology adoption, new product development, internationalization, personal selling and sales management, network and alliance development, pricing, promotion, product or service evolution and/or supply chain development might fit such a concept.
Theoretical and empirical papers are welcome and case studies will certainly be considered. To be considered papers must be received no later than April 1, 2007.
Send your paper and a letter of submission specifying the Lindblom Special Issue as MSWord attachments to an e-mail to Timothy Wilson tim.wilson@usbe.umu.se with a copy to Peter LaPlaca (plaplaca@journalimm.com)
All papers will receive Industrial Marketing Management double-blind reviews and publication will comply with Industrial Marketing Management standards.
References:
Braybrooke, D. and Lindblom, C. 1963. A Strategy of Decision. London: The Free Press of Glencoe.
Lindblom, C. 1979. Still muddling, not yet through. Public Administration Review, November-December. 517-526.
Lindblom, C. 1959. The science of “muddling through.” Public Administration Review. 19. 79-88.