The Society for Advancement of Management is proud to recognize Dr. Arthur G. Bedeian, Boyd Professor Emeritus at Louisiana State University, as the recipient of the prestigious Taylor Key Award, the Society’s highest honor. First presented in 1931, the Taylor Key is awarded to individuals whose lifelong contributions have significantly advanced the theory, practice, and understanding of management.
Dr. Bedeian’s influence on the field of management spans more than five decades. A prolific scholar, he has authored and edited a substantial body of literature that continues to shape academic thought and managerial practice around the world. His work reflects a deep respect for the historical foundations of management, with particular attention to the contributions of early pioneers such as Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Dr. Bedeian’s efforts have preserved and amplified the intellectual legacy of these early trailblazers while simultaneously advancing new frontiers of knowledge.
In nominating Dr. Bedeian, the SAM Awards Committee highlighted not only the breadth of his scholarly contributions, but also the enduring impact of his mentorship and collegiality. Through decades of writing, teaching, and guiding others, he has embodied the very spirit of leadership and service that the Taylor Key represents.
Among those who supported Dr. Bedeian’s nomination was historian and author James Gifford, whose own research into the Gilbreths was deeply enriched through Bedeian’s insights. Gifford recalled how, despite not being formally trained in management studies, he found in Dr. Bedeian a patient and generous mentor. More than just providing facts, Dr. Bedeian offered context and understanding, helping Gifford grasp the deeper significance of the Gilbreths’ contributions to scientific management and organizational life. “Only a genuine master of the field,” Gifford wrote, “could have made them meaningful to a novice.”
Dr. Bedeian’s legacy is not only recorded in pages of scholarly journals but also in the generations of students, researchers, and professionals he has inspired along the way. His work continues to be a cornerstone in management education, particularly through widely used texts co-authored with Daniel A. Wren that chronicle the evolution of management thought.
The Taylor Key Award was presented during the 79th SAM International Business Conference in Orlando, Florida. It was a fitting moment to celebrate an individual whose lifetime of contributions has helped define and elevate the very discipline we champion.
SAM congratulates Dr. Bedeian on this well-earned recognition and extends its heartfelt appreciation for his unwavering dedication to the advancement of management as both a science and an art.