Of Battle and Business: Military Language in the Corporate Environment

Abstract

Abstract As early as the second half of the 20th century, theoreticians and commentators in the field of business and corporate culture have started to increasingly make use of military and war metaphors when describing or analyzing business-related matters. This ongoing tendency can be explained by the fact that both military and business jargons have had similar historical trajectories and focus on similar goals and objectives. Military philosophy can furthermore offer valuable lessons and advice to any aspiring manager. To be aware of the symbiosis between military jargon and the language of business is to have a clearer overview of the impact of business practices and eventually to gain the upper hand in a domain where battle and the survival of the fittest are at the basis of all activities and endeavors. The aim of the present paper is to trace the similar trajectories in the evolution of military and business jargon and to analyze, by resorting to practical examples, the manifold similarities between the language of war and the one of business.