More handpicked essays just for you.
Describe and highlight the main contributions of Taylor's theory of management
Impact of scientific management on organisations today
Describe and highlight the main contributions of Taylor's theory of management
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Today’s era of business world adapts to everything new but these modern concepts are an indirect tribute to the theories produced by Taylor, Fayol, Mayo and Weber. Taylor’s Scientific management theory is one such example which has become such an important aspects of modern management that it feels unbelievable that his concepts were a part of the history. It is falsely assumed that as the society progresses, the older theories tend to lose their importance. The thing to be noted here is that these theories are based on basic human needs which do not change with time; the thing that changes is the method to fulfil those needs. Investigating earlier management theories is important because these theories are less complex and provide immediate solution to the problems. These theories basically help us to go to the root of the problem and understand its complexity. The better understanding we have about the problem, the easier it is to accomplish the objectives of the company. The following essay states the importance of the Taylor’s Scientific management theory and how it is implemented even today in the business world. The founding father of scientific management theory is Fredrick Winslow Taylor. He was an American mechanical engineer and an inventor. Modern management theorist Edward Deming credited Taylor for his contributions while Joseph Juran criticized his work for extracting more work from workers. However a careful reading of Taylor’s work will disclose that he placed workers interest as high as the employer’s in his studies. Before the principles of management are discussed it is very important to understand the causes which led Taylor to derive the four principles of management. The three causes are as follows: 1) Worke... ... middle of paper ... ... Top Employers (2012). 'Shanghai Volkswagen: A no-nonsense attitude towards human resources management', . Urwick, L. F. (1994). 'The making of scientific management', University of Chicago Press Economics Books. Urwick, L. F. and E. F. L. Brech (1966). The making of scientific management: Pitman. Volkswagen (2011). 'Sustainability Report 2011', Available at: http://nachhaltigkeitsbericht2011.volkswagenag.com/fileadmin/download/pdf/VWAG_NHB_2011_e_web.pdf, Accessed 8 October 2013. Winslow, F. (1911). The principles of scientific management: Cosimo. Wrege, C. D. and R. G. Greenwood (1991). Frederick W. Taylor, the father of scientific management: myth and reality: Irwin Professional Pub. Wrege, C. D. and A. G. Perroni (1974). 'Taylor's pig-tale: a historical analysis of Frederick W. Taylor's pig-iron experiments', Academy of Management Journal, 17, pp. 6-27.
Princeton, 1963. Hailstone, Thomas and Rothwell, John. Managerial Economics, pp. 93-95. Prentice Hall, 1993.
Taylor, F. W. (1911). The Principles of Scientific Management. In F. W. Taylor, The Principles of Scientific Management. New York: Harper & Row.
Management Theorists such as F.W Taylor created the concept of scientific management, which is made up of six key aspects including observation, experiment, standardisation, selection and training, payment by results and co-operation. Despite some facets of his theory becoming outdated, scientific management can still be seen in the some way in current business structures. For example within Virgin, despite its reputation for having a relaxed working environment, some aspects of scientific management are used. Such as the selection and training and payment by results, with certain employees being offered rewards for showing ambition to set up their own businesses and showing signs of creative thinking.
Episode 143: Fredrick Winslow Taylor’s Scientific Management 2013, YouTube, Alanis Business Academy, 19 Nov, retrieved April 4 2014,
Compare and contrast the management theories of Frederick Taylor, Henri Fayol, Elton Mayo, and Douglas McGregor. In what sense(s) are these theories similar and/or compatible? In what sense(s) are these theories dissimilar and/or incompatible? How would a contingency theorist reconcile the points of dissimilarity and/or incompatibility between these approaches? The twentieth century has brought in a number of management theories which have helped shape our view of management in the present business environment.
Fordism and Scientific Management are terms used to describe management that had application to practical situations with extremely dramatic effects. Fordism takes its name from the mass production units of Henry Ford, and is identified by an involved technical division of labour within companies and their production units. Other characteristics of Fordism include strong hierarchical control, with workers in a production line often restricted to the one single task, usually specialised and unskilled. Scientific management, on the other hand, "originated" through Fredrick Winslow Taylor in 1911, and in very basic terms described the one best way work could be done and that the best way to improve output was to improve the techniques or methods used by the workers. (Robbins p.38)
One of the early contributors of management theory and known as “The Father of Scientific Management” was Frederick W. Taylor (1856-1915), a mechanical engineer who deemed work deserving of systematic observation and study.
In the article entitled “The Human Side of Enterprise” by Douglas Murray McGregor , McGregor stated that industry has fundamental know how to utilize physical and technology science. The conventional view of management consisted of three propositions which are called Theory X (Shafritz & Hyde,2012).
The development of a true science of work (J. Morley, 2013): Was in a sense to replace using your common sense or basic knowledge and instead use the scientific method to determine the best and most efficient way of doing the task.
The concept of scientific management is based on the idea that work could be studied to increase efficiency, and specialization. Economist Adam Smith changed the way the world looked at the economy and organization. In his essay, “Of the Division of Labour,” Smith emphasizes the importance of specialization, and how division of labor leads to specialization. He states that this would allow a worker to be more productive and efficient (Shafritz, Ott, & Jang, 2011, p. 41-45). Frederick Taylor introduced the principles of scientific management, which stated that management is a science, workers should be scientifically selected and trained scientifically, and both management and workers should work together.
The scientific management, or Taylorism, approach is present in most industries today. It was initially formed by Frederick Winslow Taylor, where the main objective was to ensure efficiency from workers through strict and specific job design. This approach has several benefits to working conditions but there are also limitations that can apply all industries. Specific industries will find this approach impractical because it is better suited for factory or systematic based markets. This approach also raises complicated
Taylor, Frederick Winslow (1911). The Principles of Scientific Management. New York, NY, US and London, UK: Harper & Brothers. Print. 8 Feb. 2014.
There are three well-established theories of classical management: Taylor?s Theory of Scientific Management, Fayol?s Administrative Theory, Weber?s Theory of Bureaucracy. Although these schools, or theories, developed historical sequence, later ideas have not replaced earlier ones. Instead, each new school has tended to complement or coexist with previous ones.
the study of time and action; b) the management on assignment; c) the theory of organization. (8)Taylor’s theory created a revolution in the subject of management because it was the first scientific method in field of management science. (1)After that, management became a truly scientific knowledge and it expanded and modified by later generations. Therefore, Taylor is “known as the father of scientific management”. (2) Taylor put forward a perspective which was “study the character, the nature and the performance of each workman” and moreover, to “train and help and teach this workman”. (3) In the following paragraphs, will exploring the relevant and irrelevant hypotaxis between Scientific Management and organizations.
According to (Leonard et al, 2004) explored on how great ideologies turn to become great works. They explained how Frederick Taylor preached the gospel of scientific management. Even though it has been criticised it sites example and explain how the theory of scientific management came to being and the impact is still having on both private and public organisation.