Re-engineering was tarnished by managers who abused it as an excuse for mass layoffs. TQM fell into disrepute partly because of the zealotry of its advocates. But tarnished or abused, in fashion or out of fashion, each concept still has its place. Management ideas are as susceptible to fashion as hairstyles and eyeglasses are. A consultant or professor presents a Big New Idea in a book or an academic management review.
Consultants tout it in more articles and books and persaude a few leading-edge clients to adopt it.
That's the start of the . . . . . . Reporters and researchers start writing up the idea as the next hot trend. More companies adopt it, providing the fuel for more articles and reports. Wall Street notices and starts rewarding vendors that are seen as market leaders. From this point on, it's all downhill.