ABSTRACT
William H. Whyte's The Organization Man achieved great success and popularity soon after publication. This popularity was reflected in the numerous books and movies on similar themes of mid-century culture that appeared in the decades after its publication. The Organization Man has made notable contributions to several fields of academic discourse and influenced numerous cultural references. Whyte's work contributed to scholarly work in history, sociology, organizational dynamics, business management, and urban theory, as well as in popular culture including novels, films, art, and photography. References to Whyte's characterization of corporate conformity can be seen in contemporary references as diverse as Mac/Apple commercials, the Emmy-winning television drama Mad Men, and Dilbert comics. Whyte's characterization has secured a generation-defining place in culture and cultural memory. Whyte's most obvious limitation was that he assumed this state of willing conformity and the prevailing Social Ethic would be permanent.
