Analysis Of Frederick Winslow Taylor 's Theory Of Scientific Management

Scientific management or "Taylorism" is an approach to job design, developed by Frederick Taylor (1856-1915) during the Second World War. With the industrial revolution came a fast growing pool of people, seeking jobs, that required a new approach of management. Scientific management was the first management theory, applied internationally. It believes in the rational use of resources for utmost output, hence motivating workers to earn more money. Taylor believed that the incompetence of managers was the major obstacle on the way of productivity increase of human labour. Consequently, this idea led to the need of change of management principles. On the base of research, involving analysing controlled experiments under various working

Scientific management is defined by (Robbins et al., 2012) as ‘an approach that involves using scientific methods to define the “one best way” for a job to be done’. Frederick W. Taylor is said to be the forefather of scientific management, during his time many people criticised Taylor and his work, however it is easy to see that many of his approaches are used in contemporary management systems. This essay will provide a review of the article ‘The Ideas of Frederick W. Taylor’, Academy of Management Review (Locke, E., 1982) which discusses the positives and negatives of Taylor’s theory. A further 3 articles will be analysed on the critiquing or support of scientific management and Taylor.

Scientific Management is also known as Taylorism. Fredrick Winslow Taylor wanted to divide the work process into small, simple and separate steps (Division of Labor). Division of Labor meant every worker only had one or two steps, this was created to boost productivity. Taylor also believed in Hierarchy, he wanted a clear chain of command that separated the managers from workers. He did this so managers would design work process and enforced how the work was performed and employees would simply follow directions. Taylor wanted to select and train high performing workers or first-class employees and match them to a job that best suited them. Taylor believed the most productive workers should be paid more. Employees who could not meet the new higher standard were fired.

Scientific management, which is also known as Taylorism, is based on the systematic study of work relations in contrast to reliance on preconceived notions and hunch. One of the underlying assumptions concerning this management approach is that the worker is a biological machine; the “typical economically motivated worker” (Frederick Winslow Taylor, Miller and Form, 1964). The four principles devised by Taylor were: 1. Using science for each element of work to replace old unwritten rules by setting up accurate time and motion study. 2. Managers should select and train workers based on controlled experiments. 3. Both managers and workers are adhering to a system based on scientific equality and using “wages and other rewards linked to achievement of „optimum goals. – measures of work performance and output; failure to achieve these would in contrast result in loss of earnings” (Modern Management Theories and Practices, 2004). 4. Job fragmentation is important because this approach aims for optimum efficiency which could be achieved by deskilling.

Scientific management is directly associated with organisational theory and is linked with improving labor productivity and the economic efficiency of businesses. Scientific management focuses on how to improve work procedures and practices. The principal object of management should be to secure the maximum prosperity for the employer, coupled with the maximum prosperity for each employee (Taylor 2003, p.123). The purpose of this essay is to explain the main conclusions that can be drawn from Taylor’s theory of

Scientific Management was found in US by Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915) who has been accorded the legacy of Scientific Management system by most scholars (Wren, 2005). According to Wren (2005), Taylor was aspired to bring out an effective management system due to no formal management at that time and were characterizes by various anomalies. Sullivan (1987) stated that Taylor’s effort not only symbolized the beginning of managerial era in industrial production but also indicate the end of craft era in the United States. In this essay, we shall explore Taylorism reception outside USA and compares the reception of Taylorism between western and Asian Country.

For centuries, scholars, philosophers, and lay-persons alike have been concerned about the issue of management. This includes management of processes, people, things, events, and societies all with the focus of the basic motivations that drive individuals to become most productive. Of course, outside of Maslow's Hierarchy, we know that compensation has historical been a great motivator, but in the modern age, there are more complex motivators that focus more on individual actualization. As long ago as Ancient Greece, philosopher Aristotle, in his Metaphysics, developed the thesis that reality is knowable through the senses and through reason. By rejecting mysticism, Aristotle became the father of the scientific method and established the intellectual foundation for the Renaissance and the Age of Reason. Eventually this spirit of scientific inquiry would form a basis for scientific management (Wren, 2005, p. 19)

When I am appointed as a consultant by the Government to research and suggest improvements for the organization, I would put forward the following points that are mandatory to be changed and as mentioned in the question, I shall find and suggest measures to improve the company policy and rules as it is being criticized for “Taylorism”, which in it’s own way has pros and cons.

With those evocative words, Frederick W. Taylor had begun his highly influential book; “The Principles of Scientific Management” indicating his view regarding management practices. As one of the most influential management theorists, Taylor is widely acclaimed as the ‘father of scientific management’. Taylor had sought “the ‘one best way’ for a job to be done” (Robbins, Bergman, Stagg & Coulter, 2003, p.39). Northcraft and Neale (1990, p.41) state that “Scientific management took its

Scientific Management is a system that was originated from Fredrick W. Taylor (1911), which composite analysis of worker’s individual workflow and their labour productivity. The main purpose of this theory is to maximize efficiency within organisations to speed up the process of work in the minimum amount of time and cost incurred by the organisation (Ross 2010). Taylor believed that the most efficient way that work could be done was only when workers knew what they were doing and not merely working hard. (Mindtools)

Scientific management theory is the starting point where people start to think scientifically. They do not only depend on common habitual without considering it is efficient or not anymore. They start to think effectively in enhancing productivity. Scientific management theory proposed some way in order to get the most

Scientific management (also called Taylorism, the Taylor system, or the Classical Perspective) is a theory of management that analyzes and synthesizes workflow processes, improving labor productivity. The core ideas of the theory were developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the 1880s and 1890s, and were first published in his monographs, Shop Management (1905) and The Principles of Scientific Management (1911).[1] Taylor believed that decisions based upon tradition and rules of thumb should be replaced by precise procedures developed after careful study of an individual at work.

Nowadays Taylor 's scientific management approach can still be found in many organizations, offices and firms. For example, McDonald 's hamburger chain, which the labor forces are often made up by high school or college students, is well adopt the Taylor 's principles. Because the students would be happy to be designed to fit for the organization. The work in McDonald 's is often organized in the minutest detail. Through the analysis of the production process, manager can find the most efficient procedures so that workers are trained in a very accurate way and then they are allocated to specialized duties. Such a system of work was great represented at the scientific management.

The years leading up to the 1920’s were a time of momentous change for America. New technology was gaining momentum and factories were producing more and more goods. People were able to buy goods rather than making them like they had in the past and the standard of living was going up. Manufactured goods were a major part of life, especially during the 1920’s. This change towards being a consumer nation didn’t happen all at once and it certainly didn’t happen without prompting from some amazing innovators of the time. One of these people was Frederick Winslow Taylor, the founder the scientific management, a system which revolutionized production and largely contributed to

The term scientific management is the combination of two words i.e. scientific and management. The word "Scientific" means systematic analytical and objective approach while "management" means getting things done through others. Scientific management theory seeks to improve an organization 's efficiency by systematically improving the efficiency of task completion by utilizing scientific, engineering, and mathematical analysis. The goal is to reduce waste, increase the process and methods of production, and create a just distribution of goods. This goal serves the common interests of employers, employees, and society.