The Application of Scientific Management in Today’s Organisations
The Application of Scientific Management in Today’s Organisations
INTRODUCTION
“The principle object of management should be to secure maximum prosperity for the employer, coupled with the maximum prosperity for the employee…” (Taylor, 1911, p.9)
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 name from the careful and systematic observational techniques it used to design jobs and arrange work for the rank-and-file factory worker.” From this portrayal it can be deduced that scientific management, as the name indicates, indeed is ‘scientific’; i.e. based on proven facts rather than guesswork. Although many others have contributed to it, the work of Taylor is generally regarded as the key principles of scientific management theory.
This essay briefly explores the application of the principles of scientific management and its extent in the management of McDonald’s and other fast-food outlets. With the wide array of contemporary management theories existing currently, coupled with the fact that Taylor’s theory receives excessive negative criticism, this analysis would be quite enlightening as it investigates the extent to which businesses employ these principles.
Furthermore, the essay also examines the reasons why scientific management is still popular amongst managers and also why some managers abhor the use of those principles - an evaluation of its pros and cons in today’s organisation.
With the aim of stamping out inefficiencies in the workplace; Taylor, as previously mentioned, had conducted experiments to
INTRODUCTION
“The principle object of management should be to secure maximum prosperity for the employer, coupled with the maximum prosperity for the employee…” (Taylor, 1911, p.9)
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 name from the careful and systematic observational techniques it used to design jobs and arrange work for the rank-and-file factory worker.” From this portrayal it can be deduced that scientific management, as the name indicates, indeed is ‘scientific’; i.e. based on proven facts rather than guesswork. Although many others have contributed to it, the work of Taylor is generally regarded as the key principles of scientific management theory.
This essay briefly explores the application of the principles of scientific management and its extent in the management of McDonald’s and other fast-food outlets. With the wide array of contemporary management theories existing currently, coupled with the fact that Taylor’s theory receives excessive negative criticism, this analysis would be quite enlightening as it investigates the extent to which businesses employ these principles.
Furthermore, the essay also examines the reasons why scientific management is still popular amongst managers and also why some managers abhor the use of those principles - an evaluation of its pros and cons in today’s organisation.
With the aim of stamping out inefficiencies in the workplace; Taylor, as previously mentioned, had conducted experiments to