Chester Barnard

Chester Barnard was an American business executive, sociologist, and a key figure in management theory. He is best known for his ideas about organization and leadership, particularly in his book "The Functions of the Executive" (1938). Barnard emphasized the importance of communication, cooperation, and the informal aspects of organizations. He introduced concepts such as the "zone of indifference," where employees accept authority if they see it as legitimate. His work laid the foundation for understanding management as a social process, influencing modern organizational theory and practices in business and administration.