"The purpose of this study was to compare Management by Objectives to Machiavellianism. To measure MBO an MBOness questionnaire was developed. Christie's Mach IV questionnaire was used for Machiavellianism. Two management populations were sampled: (1) 462 business managers and (2) 117 administrators in higher education. Sampling was limited to the St. Louis area. Samples represented 2% of managers and 10% of educators. Questionnaires were mailed to each respondent. Returns yielded 66% of the business managers and 74% of the educators. Nine hypotheses were evaluated: (1) There is a positive relationship between MBO and Machiavellianism. Finding. There is a negative correlation between Machiavellianism and MBO. MBO is a participative management system. (2) Machiavellian orientation will not vary between the two management populations. Finding. The hypothesis was supported. (3) MBO orientation will not vary between the two management populations. Finding. Business managers are significantly more supportive of MBO than educators. (4) A relationship exists between Machiavellianism and attitude toward employees. Finding. The hypothesis was supported by business managers but not by educators; high Machs have a dim view of people. (5) The degree of emphasis of mission over people will vary directly with the degree of support for MBO. Finding. The hypothesis was not supported. (6) The degree of emphasis of mission over people will vary directly with the degree of Machiavellianism. Finding. The hypothesis was not supported. (7) Those who have worked with MBO systems will be less supportive of MBO than those who have not worked with MBO. Finding. A significant correlation exists but not in the direction hypothesized. (8) There is a positive relationship between MBO and perception of worth of an MBO system. Finding. The hypothesis was not supported. (9) There is a positive relationship between Machiavellianism and perception of worth of an MBO system. Finding. A significant relationship exists but not in the direction hypothesized."--From Proquest's Dissertations & Theses Global database