Lesson 3: Management Theories

Management by Wandering Around

Management by Wandering Around (MBWA) is a theory developed by executives at Hewlett-Packard in the 1970s.


The key to this is communication. Management by Wandering Around holds that companies experience greater success if the top managers interact with employees and customers. This requires that managers wander outside the executive suite. The manager walks around frequently, observing and asking questions to develop better understanding of employees' actions. Organizational values and management philosophy are communicated to workers at a personal level. This requires that the managers be accessible to staff and keep in touch with what is happening in their areas of responsibility.

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Can you see any potential problems with this style of management?


Click Drawbacks to explore what they might be.

  • Employees may be nervous to have the managers wandering around.
  • Depending on the type of business, wandering around might not be physically possible.
  • Some managers may interact with employees only when a problem is evident, leading to apprehension by employees.