SoSe 2003 27.5.

2003: Stefanie Grabbe Martin Orthwein Ruben Weiser

Communication in Organizations Scientific Management: F.W. Taylor

In the past the man has been first; in the future the system must be first. (Taylor 1911)

1. Introduction: Before Taylor

How did they manage before Taylor? The predecessors of Scientific Management. Was there a reason for Taylorism at the beginning of the 20th century?

2. The life of Frederick Winslow Taylor

Frederick Winslow (Speedy) Taylor (1856 1915) Father of Scientific Management

If he (Taylor) set up a law which must be obeyed, it was the law, not of his own will, but of the one best way. (Copley 1993, I., p.175)

3. F.W Taylor his ideas, methods and experiments

Definition of Scientific Management The need for Scientific Management The principles and objectives of Scientific Management Detailed explanation of these principles based on efficiency, standardization and discipline The time and motion studies study rate system Taylor's view of workers, unions and management: modern machine theory and first class man Underlying assumptions Experiments

4. After Taylor what has become of his ideas

The Attitude of the workers and their organisations. The Attitude of the management. The failed attempt to implement Taylorism at the Waterdown Arsenal and subsequent attitude of the American government. Lillian and Frank Gilbreth. Henry Laurence Gantt. Henry Ford and Fordism. Implications of Taylorism and Fordism.

5. Anybody in favour? The criticism of Taylorism

If a man wont do what is right, said Taylor, make him. (Copley 1993, I., p.183) F What does this citation show about the nature of Scientific Management in practice? F Think about critical aspects of Scientific Management.

6. Discussion
F Is Scientific Management still alive? Try to find examples for Tayloristic methods today. F Can you imagine any cultural differences in the application of Scientific management? F Do you think it is necessary to analyze every working process in detail and to uniform every step?

Literature
Buchanan, David and Huczynski, Andrzej: Organisational Behaviour Prentice Hall Europe, 1997 Copley, Frank Barkley: Frederick W. Taylor Father of Scientific Management, Routledge/Thoemmes Press, London 1993 Emerson, Harrington: The Twelve Principles of Efficiency Routledge/Thoemmes Press, London 1993 Hughes, Thomas P.: Die Erfindung Amerikas der technologische Aufstieg der USA seit 1870 (Original title: American Genesis. A Century of Invention and technological enthusiasm. 1870-1970, Penguin Books USA, 1989) Verlag C.H.Beck Mnchen, 1991 Kieser, Alfred (ed..): Organisationstheorien 3. edition, Kohlhammer Stuttgart ; Berlin ; Kln , 1999 Nelson, Daniel: Frederick W. Taylor and the Rise of Scientific Management The University of Wisconsin Press, Ltd. 1980 Nelson, Daniel (ed.): A Mental Revolution Scientific Management since Taylor Ohio State University Press, 1992 Copley, Frank Barkley (1993): F.W. Taylor: Father of Scientific Management I, Reprint of the 1923 edition, London. Copley, Frank Barkley (1993): F.W. Taylor: Father of Scientific Management II, Reprint of the 1923 edition, London. Taylor, F.W. (1911): The Principles of Scientific Management. New York.

Links:

http://www.kqed.org/w/collaborations/stopwatch/stopwatch2.html (23.5.2003) http://www.skymark.com/resources/leaders/taylor.asp (23.5.2003) http://www.accel-team.com/scientific/scientific_02.html (23.5.2003) http://www.mgmtguru.com/mgt301/301_Lecture1Page8.htm (23.5.2003) http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/pabacker/scientific_mgt.htm (23.5.2003)