Looking back

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the early direction and maturation of the Journal of Management History (JOMH) , evaluate the lasting impact of this primary work and identify implications of findings of this paper for future developments in the study of management history. This article provides a review of the first five years (1995-1999) of the JOMH . Design/methodology/approach – Articles published in the JOMH between the years of 1995 and 1999 were reviewed, and unifying thematic categories were developed. Two independent raters, then, sorted the articles into their respective categories. After agreement was established, general trends in the JOMH ’s early direction and focus were considered. Lasting impact was evaluated using citations in Google Scholar by category and year. Similarities among the most cited articles during this period are discussed. Findings – The early years of the JOMH were characterized by shifts in contributions from various management and public administration perspectives, a transition from an early emphasis on historical individuals to a broader focus on topics and ideas and a balance between describing historical accounts (i.e. retelling or recording historical events and individuals) and historical analysis (i.e. considering the influence of historical events and ideas on future events and modern perspectives). The most influential early contributions to the JOMH were articles that focused on the histories of specific management concepts, an approach that is still important and relevant today. Originality/value – This review provides insights into the development and maturation of the JOMH following its formation.