Taylor's principles of management

April 16, 2020

Good morning boys!
Let us start with Taylor's principles now.

Learning Objectives- At the end of the lesson, students will be able to-
1) Explain who was F.W.Taylor.
2) Discuss the principles of F.W.Taylor.

Q.38  Who was Fredrick Winslow Taylor. (3)
Ans-1) Taylor was an American mechanical engineer. He was the father of scientific management .
2) Scientific management was an important stream of one of the earlier schools of thought of management referred to as the Classical School.
3)Taylor's contribution must be seen in the light of the efforts made to perfect the factory system of production.

Q.39 What is scientific management? (1)
Ans According to Taylor, " Scientific Management means knowing exactly what you want men to do and seeing that they do it in the best and cheapest way."

Q.40 Explain the scientific principles of management. (6)
Ans- 1) Science not Rule of thumb-
a) Taylor believed  that there was only one best method to maximize the efficiency and it can be developed through study and analysis.
b) The method so developed should substitute Rule of thumb throughout the organisation i.e which should not be based on estimates ,intuition,  experience and hit and trial methods. It should only be based on scientific enquiry
c) According to Taylor,  even a small production activity like loading pigs of iron into boxcars can be scientically planned and managed.Rule of thumb does not involve thinking before doing.

2) Harmony not discord -
a) Taylor emphasized that there should be complete harmony between the management and the workers .Both should realise that each one is important . For this, he gave the concept  of complete mental revolution on the part of both management and workers i.e change in the attitude or thinking of management and workers from competition to cooperation. Both should  think that they are part of the same family as in the long run only worker's well -being will ensure prosperity of the business.
c)For example- Management should share the gains of the company with the workers and at the same time , workers should work hard and be willing to embrace change for the good of the company .
Note- Japanese work culture is a classic example of  harmony not discord. In  japanese companies , paternalistic style of management is in practice i.e there is complete openness between management and workers . If at all workers go on strike they wear a black badge but work more than normal working hours to gain the sympathy of the management.

3) Cooperation, not individualism -
a) There should be  complete cooperation between the management and the workers instead of individualism. Competition should be replaced by cooperation . Both should realise that they need each other
b) For example- Management should not its ears to any constructive suggestions made by the employees and they should be rewarded for good suggestions.  At the same time,  workers should not go on strike and make unreasonable demands on the management . There should be open communication system in the organisation.
c) This principle is an extension of principle of harmony , not discord. There  should be an  almost equal division of work and responsibility between management and workers.

4) Development of each and every person to his greatest efficiency and prosperity -
a)Scientific management also stood for worker development .Worker training was essential also to learn the best method developed as a consequence of scientific approacg.
b)Taylor was of the view that the concern for efficiency could be built in right from the process of employee selection.  Each and every person should be scientifically selected and then work should be assigned to them according to his or her physical , mental and intellectual capabilities .
c) To increase efficiency,  employees  should be given the required training. Efficient employees would produce more and earn  more. This will ensure their greatest efficiency and prosperity for both company and the workers.
 
CASE STUDY

• Taylor was a firm believer in developing methods which could substitute 'Rule of Thumb' in various activities of the organisation. He wanted that the competition between the trade unions and the management should be replaced by coordination in decision making. He also gave techniques which, if applied in the organisation , would lead to minimisation of the cost of production and help in removing unnecessary movement of the workers. He also developed a payment plan where a financial loss in wages will work as the strongest motivator for workers to improve their efficiency. Explain the principles of Taylor highlighted in the above paragraph. (4)