Essay Example on Taylorism
Despite many criticisms, and a wealth of newer theories on the topic of managing people, Taylorism (i.e. Scientific Management) is alive and well in 21st century management practice.
Initially instituted by Adam Smith, an economist, who first discovered increased outputs via the division of labour through the observation and application of breaking down tasks in the transformation processes of a pin factory, the concept of scientific management can be traced back to the 1800’s.
However, the larger advancement and greater evolution of scientific management collectively came to pass during the 1900’s while the peak of the industrial revolution was taking place, and due to the surfacing of the factory system, the focus was mainly targeted on any factors that would potentially increase output levels in the transformation process.
Here, Fredrick-Winslow-Taylor embarked on his studies towards the field of scientific management, which was later to be coined as ‘Taylorism’, due to his substantial contribution and ideas towards the field, and consequently, his extensive recognition as the ‘Father of scientific management.
In principle, Scientific Management is referred to as the “planned management of production that is based on the use of codified and verified knowledge of the knowable factors and directed toward the drawing up and carrying out of an overall plan accompanied by detailed instructions for each operation as established from time and motion study standards and research” Merriam-webster (2012) Conversely, George Ritzer defines Scientific Management as a method that ”produced nonhuman technology that exerted great control over workers” Ritzer.G, The Mcdonaldization of Society pg. 34 (2004)
Through this, Ritzer references the effect of scientific management.
Initially, the majority of businesses existing in the economy followed the ‘Rule of Thumb’, a management technique in which workers were expected to have initiative, which meant the survival of
Initially instituted by Adam Smith, an economist, who first discovered increased outputs via the division of labour through the observation and application of breaking down tasks in the transformation processes of a pin factory, the concept of scientific management can be traced back to the 1800’s.
However, the larger advancement and greater evolution of scientific management collectively came to pass during the 1900’s while the peak of the industrial revolution was taking place, and due to the surfacing of the factory system, the focus was mainly targeted on any factors that would potentially increase output levels in the transformation process.
Here, Fredrick-Winslow-Taylor embarked on his studies towards the field of scientific management, which was later to be coined as ‘Taylorism’, due to his substantial contribution and ideas towards the field, and consequently, his extensive recognition as the ‘Father of scientific management.
In principle, Scientific Management is referred to as the “planned management of production that is based on the use of codified and verified knowledge of the knowable factors and directed toward the drawing up and carrying out of an overall plan accompanied by detailed instructions for each operation as established from time and motion study standards and research” Merriam-webster (2012) Conversely, George Ritzer defines Scientific Management as a method that ”produced nonhuman technology that exerted great control over workers” Ritzer.G, The Mcdonaldization of Society pg. 34 (2004)
Through this, Ritzer references the effect of scientific management.
Initially, the majority of businesses existing in the economy followed the ‘Rule of Thumb’, a management technique in which workers were expected to have initiative, which meant the survival of