SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Scientific management, also known as Taylorism, is a management theory developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a system of management that aims to increase productivity and efficiency by applying scientific principles to analyze and optimize work processes.
At its core, scientific management emphasizes the division of labor and specialization. It advocates for breaking down complex tasks into smaller, simpler ones, which can be easily trained and executed by the workforce. By doing so, it aims to eliminate unnecessary movements and time wastage, resulting in higher productivity and reduced costs.
Scientific management also involves time and motion studies to identify the most efficient ways of performing tasks. It focuses on determining the optimal work methods and developing standard operating procedures for each job. This includes setting time standards for each task, which serve as targets for employees to meet.
Additionally, scientific management highlights the importance of selecting and training employees based on their skills and abilities. It promotes the use of scientific techniques for recruitment, selection, and training, ensuring that the right people are placed in the right roles.
Overall, scientific management aims to create a highly efficient and structured work environment by applying scientific analysis and optimizing work processes. While it has been criticized for its mechanistic approach and potential dehumanization of workers, it remains an influential management theory that has shaped the practices of many organizations.
Etymology of SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT
The word "scientific management" is a term coined by Frederick Winslow Taylor, an American engineer and management consultant, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The etymology of the word can be broken down as follows:
1. Scientific: The term "scientific" refers to the systematic and analytical approach that Taylor aimed to bring to the field of management. He believed that management principles should be based on scientific methods and data analysis, rather than relying solely on experience or intuition.
2. Management: The term "management" refers to the act or process of dealing with or controlling things or people. Taylor's focus was on improving efficiency and productivity in the workplace through effective management techniques.
Thus, by combining these two terms, Taylor created the concept of "scientific management", which emphasizes the application of scientific methods and principles to improve efficiency and productivity in organizational and industrial settings.
