Criticism of Scientific Management
February 12, 2025
Fredrick Winslow Taylor ( March 20, 1856 – March 21, 1915) commonly known as ’Father of Scientific Management’ started his career as an operator and rose to the position of chief engineer. He conducted various experiments during this process which forms the basis of scientific management. It implies application of scientific principles for studying & […]
Management has been described as a social process involving responsibility for economical and effective planning & regulation of operation of an enterprise in the fulfillment of given purposes. It is a dynamic process consisting of various elements and activities. These activities are different from operative functions like marketing, finance, purchase etc. Rather these activities are […]
Time Study It is a technique which enables the manager to ascertain standard time taken for performing a specified job. Every job or every part of it is studied in detail. This technique is based on the study of an average worker having reasonable skill and ability. Average worker is selected and assigned the job […]
Following are the main importance of the Principles of Management. Improves Understanding. Direction for Training of Managers. Role of Management. Guide to Research in Management. Improves Understanding – From the knowledge of principles managers get indication on how to manage an organization. The principles enable managers to decide what should be done to accomplish given […]
Co-ordination is the unification, integration, synchronization of the efforts of group members so as to provide unity of action in the pursuit of common goals. It is a hidden force which binds all the other functions of management. According to Mooney and Reelay, “Co-ordination is orderly arrangement of group efforts to provide unity of action […]
Both the persons have contributed to development of science of management. The contribution of these two pioneers in the field of science of management has been reviewed as “The work of Taylor & Fayol was, of course, especially complementary. They both realized that problem of personnel & its management at all levels is the key to individual success. Both applied scientific method to this problem that Taylor worked primarily from operative level, from bottom to upward, while Fayol concentrated on managing director and work downwards, was merely a reflection of their very different careers”. They both differ from each other in following aspects: -
Similarity - Both emphasized mutual co-operation between employment and employees.
Fayol’s theory is more widely applicable than that of Taylor, although Taylor’s philosophy has undergone a big change Under influence of modern development, but Fayol’s principles of management have stood the test of time and are still being accepted as the core of management theory.
According to Psychologists, Taylor’s study had following drawbacks: -
Basis | Taylor | Fayol |
Human aspect | Taylor disregards human elements and there is more stress on improving men, materials and methods | Fayol pays due regards on human element. E.g. Principle of initiative, Espirit De’ Corps and Equity recognizes a need for human relations |
Status | Father of scientific management | Father of management principles |
Efficiency & administration | Stressed on efficiency | Stressed on general administration |
Approach | It has micro-approach because it is restricted to factory only | It has macro-approach and discuses general principles of management which are applicable in every field of management. |
Scope of principles | These principles are restricted to production activities | These are applicable in all kinds of organization regarding their management affairs |
Achievement | Scientific management | Administrative management |
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