Agreed, if you want to know how things really work one of the best articles I've ever read on the subject is by Venkat from ribbonfarm.com. Read the Gervais Principle it's long but well worth it, lots of fresh thinking, and if you watch the office you'll see it in a whole new light.

Part 1 http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-o...

Part 2 http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/11/11/the-gervais-principle-i...

Part 3 http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2010/04/14/the-gervais-principle-i...

Part 4 http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2010/10/14/the-gervais-principle-i...