Stages of Scientific Management
What was Taylor’s main goal in developing Scientific Management?
To increase productivity and efficiency by systematizing work.
Which principle says managers should use evidence and data instead of guesswork?
Science, not rule of thumb.
Define division of labor.
Breaking jobs into smaller, specialized tasks to increase efficiency.
Define assembly line.
A production method where a product moves through workstations, with each worker performing a specific task.
What was one major benefit of Fordism for consumers?
Cars became affordable due to mass production and economies of scale.
What is the first stage in Scientific Management?
Develop a science for each element of work, replacing old rule-of-thumb methods.
Which principle emphasizes fostering good relations between employers and employees?
Harmony, not discord.
What was one major productivity benefit of Scientific Management?
Increased worker output through standardization and efficiency.
What is meant by economies of scale in Fordism?
Costs per unit decrease as production volume increases through mass production.
How did Fordism make repairs easier for customers?
Standardized parts meant cars could be easily repaired and maintained.
How does Scientific Management change the role of workers in deciding how tasks are done?
Workers lose autonomy; managers dictate methods based on scientific study.
How does the principle of cooperation differ from individualism?
Managers and workers should collaborate to meet standards instead of working independently with conflicting interests.
How did Scientific Management change managerial control?
Managers gained authority over work methods; workers followed standardized instructions.
What system allowed cars to move automatically between workstations in Fordism?
The moving conveyor belt.
Why did Ford offer workers relatively high wages?
To reduce turnover and attract a steady workforce for repetitive jobs.
What was the problem of “soldiering,” and how did Taylor’s stages aim to solve it?
Workers slowed down to avoid higher demands; Taylor solved it by scientifically setting the optimal work pace.
Why did Taylor emphasize “maximum output, not restricted output”?
Because higher output leads to higher wages for workers and greater profits for companies.
At Bethlehem Steel, how did Taylor’s methods impact workers’ pay?
Pay increased up to 60% due to performance-based incentives.
Why did Fordism require limited worker training?
Jobs were simplified and specialized into repetitive tasks.
What was one major criticism of Fordism regarding workers?
Workers were treated like machines, leading to monotony and dissatisfaction.
Explain the idea of the “one best way” in relation to Taylor’s stages.
Through study and standardization, managers determine a single most efficient way to do tasks, which all workers must follow.
Critically assess the principle “development of each man to his greatest efficiency and prosperity.”
While intended to improve skills and prosperity, in practice it often led to monotony and limited worker development.
Give one example of how Scientific Management is applied in today’s industries.
McDonald’s
What is meant by “horizontal division of labor” in Fordism?
Workers performed specialized, repetitive tasks dependent on the previous step.
Why did Fordism eventually decline in the 1950s?
European competitors offered variety (compact, sporty cars), while Fordism was rigid and less adaptable.