IGNOU : M.COM : MCO 1 : UNIT 2 : Q - 5. Discuss the central theme of scientific management. Do you think that the scientific management enhances productivity in the organisation. Give your arguments.

 Scientific Management The approach of scientific management was formulated by F.W. Taylor and others between 1890 and 1930 sought to determine scientifically the best method for performing any task, and for selecting, training, and motivating workers. Frederick Winslow Taylor and other contributors notably Frank Gilbreth, Lillian Gilbreth and Henry Gants investigated the effective use of human beings in industrial organisations, particularly at shop floor levels. Tayor (1856-1915) an engineer by training is regarded as the father of scientific management. Taylor based his management system on production line time studies instead of relying on traditional work methods. He analysed and tuned steel workers movements on a series of jobs. Using time study as his base, he broke each job down into its components and designed the quickest and best methods of performing each component. In this way he established how much should workers be able to work with the equipment and materials at hand and also encouraged employers to pay more productive workers at a higher rate, using a scientifically correct rate that would benefit both company and worker. Thus, workers were urged to surpass their previous performance standards to earn more money Taylor called his plan the differential rate system. The modern production miracle is just one legacy of scientific management. In addition, its efficiency techniques have been applied to many tasks in non-industrial organisations, ranging from fast food service to the training of surgeons. Taylor relentlessly pursued the idea that efficiency at work could be improved through careful scientific analysis. He advocated an inductive, empirical, detailed study of each job to determine the one best way to organise work. Taylor’s concept of scientific management essentially consisted of a scientific approach to management. Its primary objective was to replace methods based on trial and error and rule of thumb. The new approach rested on the following principles.

• Development and use of scientific methods in setting work standards, determining a fair day’s work and best way of doing work.
• Scientific selection and placement of workers best suited to perform the various tasks and provision of their training and development for maximum efficiency.
• Clear cut division of work and responsibility between management and workers.
• Harmonious relations and close cooperation with workmen to secure performance of work in accordance with the planned jobs and tasks. 

A number of techniques were developed to facilitate scientific management. Taken together the following techniques constituted the mechanism of the new approach :

• Time study to analyse and measure the time taken in doing the various elements of a job, and to standardise the operations as well as determining a fair day’s work.
• Motion Study involving close observation of the movements required to perform a job with a view to eliminate wasteful motions and decide on the best way of doing the job.
• Standardisation of tools, equipments and machinery and working conditions.
• Incentive wage plan with differential piece rate of wages for efficient and inefficient workmen.
• Functional Foremanship involving different specialist foremen supervising machine speed, group work, repairs, etc. 

Taylor presented his ideas on scientific management as a systematic body of thought. His main contribution to management practices included the following aspects :

• The importance of applying scientific methods of enquiry , observation and experimentation to the problems of management.
• Separation of planning of work from its execution so as to enable workers to perform at his best and earn accordingly. • Emphasizing the aim of management to be the maximum prosperity of the employer along with the maximum welfare of each employee. • The necessity of a complete mental revolution on the part of both workmen and management to derive the benefits of scientific management through harmony and cooperation rather than individualism and discord.