Despite the potential confusion that this duality creates, matrix management was enormously popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

ECONOMIST: Idea

Matrix management is a structure for running those companies that have both a diversity of products and a diversity of markets.

ECONOMIST: Idea

Companies establish matrix-management systems to deal with globalisation, appoint task-forces to examine new technologies, and add ever longer meetings until employees' brains try to gnaw their way out of their skulls.

ECONOMIST: Schumpeter

The growth share matrix started a fashion for matrices among management consultants.

ECONOMIST: Idea