Research Article

Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management

Number: 37 September 30, 2026
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Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management

Abstract

This study reinterprets the contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to management thought through a psychological and human-centered perspective. While traditional scientific management emphasized efficiency and productivity, Gilbreth expanded this framework by integrating psychological and social dimensions into organizational processes. Using a qualitative document analysis approach, this study examines Gilbreth’s contributions and evaluates their relevance to contemporary leadership theories and educational management. This study contributes to the literature by offering a conceptual framework that connects Gilbreth’s psychological management approach with modern educational leadership and organizational practices. The findings highlight that her ideas provide a foundation for understanding human-centered leadership, employee well-being, and organizational efficiency in educational settings. The study also suggests that Gilbreth’s perspective remains highly relevant for developing sustainable and participatory management practices in contemporary educational institutions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was not supported by any institution or organization.

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve any data collection requiring ethical approval. The research was conducted using document analysis and does not include human participants. All procedures were carried out in accordance with academic ethical principles.

References

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  2. Baumgart, A., & Neuhauser, D. (2009). Frank and Lillian Gilbreth: Scientific management in the operating room. Quality and Safety in Health Care, 18, 413.
  3. Dinis-Carvalho, J., & Fernandes, S. (2016). Students’ role in the implementation of a lean teaching and learning model. Proceedings of the PAEE/ALE 2016, 284–293.
  4. Dreer, B. (2023). On the outcomes of teacher wellbeing: A systematic review of research. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1205179. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1205179
  5. Ekinci, N. (2019). Klasik, neoklasik teori, sistem ve durumsallık yaklaşımları ile bunların karşılaştırılması ve toplam kalite yönetimi içerisindeki yerlerinin değerlendirilmesi. Avrasya Sosyal ve Ekonomi Araştırmaları Dergisi (ASEAD), 6(11), 16–38.
  6. Emiliani, B., & Gilbreth, L. M. (2019). Eliminating waste in teaching: Timeless lessons for improving teaching and training. Cubic, LLC.
  7. Emiliani, M. L. (2015). Engaging faculty in lean teaching. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-06-2014-0015
  8. Gibson, J. W., Clayton, R. W., Deem, J., Einstein, J. E., & Henry, E. L. (2015). Viewing the work of Lillian M. Gilbreth through the lens of critical biography. Journal of Management History, 21(3), 288–308.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Education Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

May 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 37

APA
Yanık Özdemir, S. N., & Gök, R. (2026). Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management. Asya Studies, 37, 121-142. https://doi.org/10.31455/asya.1944738
AMA
1.Yanık Özdemir SN, Gök R. Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management. Asya Studies. 2026;(37):121-142. doi:10.31455/asya.1944738
Chicago
Yanık Özdemir, Sema Nur, and Ramazan Gök. 2026. “Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management”. Asya Studies, nos. 37: 121-42. https://doi.org/10.31455/asya.1944738.
EndNote
Yanık Özdemir SN, Gök R (September 1, 2026) Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management. Asya Studies 37 121–142.
IEEE
[1]S. N. Yanık Özdemir and R. Gök, “Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management”, Asya Studies, no. 37, pp. 121–142, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.31455/asya.1944738.
ISNAD
Yanık Özdemir, Sema Nur - Gök, Ramazan. “Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management”. Asya Studies. 37 (September 1, 2026): 121-142. https://doi.org/10.31455/asya.1944738.
JAMA
1.Yanık Özdemir SN, Gök R. Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management. Asya Studies. 2026;:121–142.
MLA
Yanık Özdemir, Sema Nur, and Ramazan Gök. “Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management”. Asya Studies, no. 37, Sept. 2026, pp. 121-42, doi:10.31455/asya.1944738.
Vancouver
1.Sema Nur Yanık Özdemir, Ramazan Gök. Reinterpreting Management Thought Through Psychological Perspectives: The Contributions of Lillian Moller Gilbreth to Modern Leadership and Educational Management. Asya Studies. 2026 Sep. 1;(37):121-42. doi:10.31455/asya.1944738

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