The Hidden Reason Why the First World War Matters Today: The Development and Spread of Modern Management

World War I is often thought of in terms of trench warfare, appalling losses,
and tumultuous political upheaval. France lost 1.4 million servicemen, and
Britain 800,000. Germany lost two million, or 1,330 for each day of the 52
months of the war. A total of 10 million military personnel died on both sides
in what became the first total war pitting entire societies against each other. By
the War’s end, great empires were shattered, the capitalist and free trade system
built up during the nineteenth century was facing serious challenge. Yet in spite of the Great War's terrible tragedy, WWI helped to jump-start and accelerate the diffusion of key management innovations that are so important to modern business and economic growth.