Criticism of Scientific Management
February 12, 2025
According to Theo Haimann, “Administration means overall determination of policies, setting of major objectives, the identification of general purposes and laying down of broad programmes and projects”. It refers to the activities of higher level. It lays down basic principles of the enterprise. According to Newman, “Administration means guidance, leadership & control of the efforts […]
The main objectives of management are: Getting Maximum Results with Minimum Efforts – The main objective of management is to secure maximum outputs with minimum efforts & resources. Management is basically concerned with thinking & utilizing human, material & financial resources in such a manner that would result in best combination. This combination results in […]
Over a large few decades, factors such as growing size of business unit, separation of ownership from management, growing competition etc have led to an increased demand for professionally qualified managers. The task of manager has been quite specialized. As a result of these developments the management has reached a stage where everything is to […]
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 […]
Science is a systematic body of knowledge pertaining to a specific field of study that contains general facts which explains a phenomenon. It establishes cause and effect relationship between two or more variables and underlines the principles governing their relationship. These principles are developed through scientific method of observation and verification through testing. Science is […]
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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