Taylorism

toc Frederick Taylor

Taylorism, a system originated by [|Frederick Taylor] and publicized in his book //[|The Principles of Scientific Management]// (1911), was designed to increase industrial output by rationalizing the production process.

Over the course of the nineteenth century, unskilled workers and then machines had begun to replace skilled craftsmen. This posed a problem in the eyes of Taylor due to his belief that workers in repetitive jobs go at the slowest rate. Taylor also believed that if everyone is paid the same, they will all work as hard as the slowest person. Due to the specialized knowledge of the more skilled workers, they continued to exert considerable control over the pace of work, the methods used, and the levels of output. Taylor, working as a foreman in the Midvale Steel Company in the 1880s, concluded that to increase production, managers must take control of the process, starting by doing time studies of each factory job. This involved observing workers meticulously, analyzing each step in terms of time spent and energy expended, and using the results to determine the best method by which each task should be performed. This "standard" method would be required of every worker, with scaled piecework rates providing incentives for higher output. Taylor believed in certain suitability to certain people in certain jobs, which is why Taylorism was such a success during its time.

"Technology is neutral, it only performs as it is guided to by the people." (Lasch 1987)

[|Frederick Winslow Taylor] (1911) Taylor proposed a neat understandable world in factory which evolved to all types of fields and skilled professions. He created an organization of men whose acts would be planned, coordinated, and controlled, under a continuous expert production. His theory did not depend on teleological support. He came up with a theory to transform the workplace, giving specific tasks and jobs to qualified people. (task-orientated optimization) Taylor's approach was called **scientific management**. Taylor recognized that there is a certain suitability of certain people for particular jobs. Functional Management- simplification how the whole industry comes together. Taylor divided the workforce by delegating specific tasks, to specific people

=4 Principles of Scientific Management=


 * 1) Replace rule-of thumb work methods with methods based on a scientific study of tasks.
 * 2) Scientifically select, train and develop each worker rather than passively leaving them to train themselves.
 * 3) Cooperate with the workers to ensure that the scientifically developed methods are being followed.
 * 4) Divide work nearly equally between manager and workers, so that the managers apply scientific management principals to planning the work and the workers actually perform the tasks.

=Purposes of Taylorism=

"Taylorism and Fayolism Compared" at http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/417/417lect04a.htm(Last updated 01/06/04)
 * 1) To assure healthful and socially agreeable to conditions of work.
 * 2) To make possible a higer standard of living to workers.
 * 3) To develop self- confidence and self- respect among workers.
 * 4) To regulate operations in a manner which will conserve the investment.
 * 5) To assure by training for workers to develop new and higher capacities.
 * 6) To build character through the proper conduct of work.

=CCT205 Wikispaces Links=

Fordism

=Works Cited=

http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/dea453_653/ideabook1/thompson_jones/Taylorism.htm

The Information Society Reader. Edited by Frank Webster. Routledge. 2004.