
The Effects of Spectacle Society on Contemporary Management Practices: Spectacle Management
Chapter from the book:
Mücevher,
M.
H.
(ed.)
2025.
New Concept and Theory Proposals for Management Science.
Synopsis
Contemporary management approaches are influenced by social dynamics that transform how organizations and individuals showcase their performances. This study examines management practices within the context of the spectacle society, focusing on the emergence of elements such as image, perception management, and the expression of performance. Guy Debord’s concept of the spectacle society provides an important framework for explaining the impact of consumption- and image-centered structures in capitalist societies on management strategies. Today, businesses and public institutions are striving to gain a competitive advantage not only by focusing on efficiency and quality but also by enhancing visibility. This trend leads to the prioritization of form over content in management processes, turning managerial practices into a form of stage performance. The study aims to reveal how modern management approaches intertwine with spectacle culture and how this reflects on managerial practices. In conclusion, it has been determined that contemporary management practices are shaped not only around productivity but also through symbolic and visual elements. In this regard, the study adds to the literature by examining how the spectacle society shapes management techniques.