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712664 JMIXXX10.1177/1056492617712664Journal of Management InquiryWright et al.
research-article2017
Meet the Person

Journal of Management Inquiry
Journal of Management Inquiry
40 Years (and Counting): Steve Kerr 2018, Vol. 27(3) 309
2018, Vol. 27(3) 309 –315 –315
© The Author(s) 2017
© The Author(s) 2017
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DOI: 10.1177/1056492617712664
DOI: 10.1177/1056492617712664
https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492617712664
https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492617712664
https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492617712664
journals.sagepub.com/home/jmi
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Thomas A. Wright , John Hollwitz , Richard W. Stackman ,
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Arthur S. De Groat , Sally A. Baack , and Jeffrey P. Shay 5
Abstract
It has been more than 40 years since Steve Kerr first noted that organizations invariably violate a fundamental law of social
nature by rewarding the very behaviors which they are supposedly trying to discourage, while failing to reward the behaviors
they desire to reinforce. But it is simply more than a faulty reward system that has allowed these malfunctions to continue.
In an engaging and thought-provoking interview reflection (and extension) on his classic management masterpiece and more,
Steve Kerr provides his insights on both why the “Folly” remains as prevalent today and, equally relevant and important,
provides valuable suggestions for what we can do to create better functioning organizations.
Keywords
goal displacement, leadership, motivation, reward systems

The majority of our readers have likely flown recently for why the “Folly” article remains such a highly impactful man-
academic, professional or personal reasons. Unfortunately, agement classic (2,190 citations for both versions as of April
airline travel can mean flight delays and cancelations, including 20, 2017. Source: Google Scholar). His interview along with
time spent by passengers on the tarmac waiting for takeoff. In the accompanying article by Wright et al. (2017) and titled
2010, the Department of Transportation imposed a tarmac delay “Further Thoughts on Kerr’s ‘Folly’ and Repeat Offenses:
rule to solve the problem (Forbes & Ames, 2012). This rule fines Where We Are, Have Been, and Are Going” provides the
airlines $27,500 per passenger if an airline sits on the runway
for more than three hours. It must be a success as there haven’t reader with not only updated and topical examples confirm-
been many violations. Of course, one practical reason why there ing that the “Folly” is still very much alive, but, more impor-
haven’t been many violations is because the airline response (to tantly, offers possible solutions for when we find ourselves in
avoid the fine) is to simply cancel potentially problematic flights. a “Folly” predicament situation.
The result: more passenger delays . . . The scope of the Kerr interview is incredibly broad and far-
reaching and not just limited to our research endeavors on the
More than 40 years have passed since Steve Kerr’s classic “Folly” and related topics. It also is relevant for how we teach
article, “On the Folly of Rewarding A, While Hoping for B,” our classes as well as in regard to how we live our day-to-day
was first published in the Academy of Management Journal existence, both on-and-off the job! We certainly learn a lot
(a 20-year anniversary version was also published in 1995 in about the history of our management field. As one example, we
the Academy of Management Executive). In his work, Kerr are made aware that Steve Kerr was already a highly accom-
very succinctly noted that organizations invariably violate a plished scholar before the original publication of the “Folly”
fundamental law of social nature by rewarding the very article in 1975. In particular, he had published a number of
behaviors which they are supposedly trying to discourage, articles on a range of topics, including psychometric and
while failing to reward the behaviors they desire to reinforce.
Distressingly, and well-evidenced by our opening example,
private and public sector businesses, religious organizations, 1 Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
nations, and certainly universities continue to remain all too 2 3 University of San Francisco, CA, USA
often repeat offenders of this “Folly” transgression. 4 Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA
San Francisco State University, CA, USA
Our Reflections on Experience interview with Steve Kerr 5 Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, USA
is illuminating to the Journal of Management Inquiry reader-
ship on a wide range of dimensions. Carefully reflecting on Corresponding Author:
Thomas A. Wright, Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus, Bronx,
the role played by his research on the management and orga- NY 10458, USA.
nizational behavior literature, Steve Kerr offers insights into Email: twright17@fordham.edu