This theory covers the principle that you have some people who are incompetent but get promoted anyway due to arrogance, self-belief and ignorance of their own capabilities and limitations. Their self-belief comes across as confidence and skill during short interview exposure where real skills are not challenged or tested thoroughly. Ultimately they become a manager. They try to exert control over all future situations, despite a lack of informed knowledge.
These employees float up to the top of an organisation, repeating the same process. and this is why there is a layer of shit often floating at the top, underneath which capable employees become exhausted and disgruntled.
This in essence is the Polystyrene Brown Management Theory.
It gains its name from some simple principles. If placed in water, Polestyrene will float to the top, pushing everything out of its way to get there, where it refuses to sink, is bad for the environment and is generally just shit. Inhibiting the necessary light needed for employee growth underneath where they are left in a less oxygen-rich environment, unable to get the necessary straws to aid breathing, due to the budget cuts imposed by said Polystyrene Brown Management.
The environment that the employee is left to work in starts to turn brown, and everywhere they look they feel they are surrounded by shit.
Polysterene Brown Management Theory
"I have been working in this company for 23 years, and we don't need to change or adapt to any of these dumbfounding IT security principles or ideas you have, if you don't like it then leave!!!!" - said David.
"Well David, that's some "Polysternene Brown Management Theory" bullshit right there you useless bag of limp dicks" - replied Kevin.