Hi! I'm going to answer your question in regards to the Byzantine Empire, but before I do, could you please clarify what you mean by "management theory," not only for myself, but for others reading this post?

Okay, here's my analysis of Byzantine “management theory.” I’ll cover one of the best examples of management, in the “De Administrando Imperio” of Constantine Porphyrogenitus. Constantine had this written/compiled as advice to his son, Romanus. It functions as a practical manual, with a heavy foreign policy emphasis, on how to be a good emperor. Unlike some advice written by emperors and historians, this one is not a panegyric or solely praise; rather, it is candid and informative policy. Furthermore, it is (mostly) secular and research-based; though, the bit on the “obscene” and “blasphemous” Mohammed is obviously biased.

R.J.H. Jenkins, in his introduction to the De Administrando Imperio, describes Constantine’s attempt at teaching “practical wisdom” to his son by:

writing or causing to be written histories of recent events and manuals of technical instruction on the various departments of business and administration… Documents from the files of every branch of the administration, from the foreign ministry, the treasury, the offices of ceremonial, were scrutinized and abstracted.

One of its key elements was a “summary of the recent internal history, politics, and organization within the borders of the empire.” Far from being a piece of rhetoric or self-absorbed thought, the document contains enormous, albeit intermittently erroneous, research and careful analysis. This is “no partial document of propaganda… to impress domestic or foreign circles.”

From Jenkins,

Provincial governors and imperial envoys wrote historical and topographical reports on the areas of their jurisdiction or assignment. Foreign ambassadors were diligently questioned as to the affairs of their respective countries.

One of the interesting things to note about the Administrando was its secret nature, having been written as advice for Constantine’s son, Romanus; it acts as part succession letter, part compilation, and part “confidential” advice/information.

As the emperor puts it,

it is not for those who wish to govern lawfully to copy and emulate what has been ill done by some out of ignorance or arrogance, but rather to have the glorious deeds of those who have ruled lawfully and righteously as noble pictures set up for an example to be copied, and after their pattern to strive himself also to direct all that he does… it may greatly advantage you… [to know] the difference between other nations, their origins and customs and manner of life, and the position and climate of the land they dwell in…

Sources: R. J. H. Jenkins’ translation of and introduction to Constantine Porphyrogenitus’ De Administrando Imperio, published by Dumbarton Oaks.