managermanaged

Managermanaged is a term used in organizational studies to describe systems, processes, or organizations in which management functions themselves are subject to management controls—typically through automation, algorithmic governance, or higher-level oversight. Rather than managers directing work, the term signals a regime in which management is directed by formalized rules, data-driven protocols, or automated decision engines.

Origin and usage: The term is a modern neologism appearing in discussions of digital transformation and automation. It is used to analyze how organizations codify managerial decisions and how governance layers influence everyday leadership.

Characteristics include standardized policies, encoded decision rights, monitoring metrics, feedback loops, and auditability. Information technology systems—enterprise resource planning, human resources information systems, and analytics platforms—provide the infrastructure for managermanaged.

Examples can be seen in algorithmic scheduling and worker management on digital platforms, automated budgeting and procurement systems, and executive dashboards that constrain discretionary actions with predefined benchmarks.

Relation to related concepts: It overlaps with algorithmic management and with broader management control systems, while differing in emphasis on the management function being the object of management.

Criticisms and implications: Critics warn that managermanaged can reduce autonomy, obscure accountability, and embed biases in governance. Dependence on data and systems may reduce resilience in crises and raise ethical concerns about surveillance and worker autonomy.