Menejmentida

Menejmentida is a term used in some analyses of organizational behavior to describe a phenomenon where management rhetoric and everyday governance diverge from actual operations. It denotes a pattern in which organizations project efficiency and control while underlying problems are downplayed. It is a critique of performative leadership rather than a formal technique.

The word is a neologism blending "management" with the Spanish mentida, meaning "lie" or "falsehood." It appears in Spanish- and Portuguese-language debates on accountability and governance and is used more broadly in critical discussions of corporate transparency. It is not an officially recognized term in mainstream management science.

Core features associated with menejmentida include heavy reliance on dashboards and KPIs that reward short-term gains, selective data disclosure, symbolic reforms without substantive change, and a culture that prioritizes appearances over learning. The result can be a narrative of control that hides vulnerabilities in quality, safety, or morale.

Responses to menejmentida emphasize transparent reporting, independent verification, and metrics that balance productivity with quality and safety. Critics argue that persistent menejmentida erodes trust and hampers organizational learning, while proponents see it as a phase in change processes that can be addressed through governance reforms, ethical leadership, and more robust accountability mechanisms.