Lesson 6ª

 

 

 

 

 

   

Scientific Administration (Taylor).

The age of the evolution of Administrative Thought has been named as the scientific stage. This is due mainly because at the end of the XIX century and beginning of the XX century, several authors became interested in investigating from a "scientific point of view" the problems that industrial enterprises were facing, mainly in the great manufacturing companies. Among some of these thinkers we have Charles Babbage (1792-1872), H. Robinson Towne (1844-1924) and Joseph Wharthon (Century XIX).

Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915), an Industrial Engineer, was born in Philadelphia, United States of America, and has been proclaimed as the "Father of Scientific Administration", having investigated industrial operations in a systematic manner, mainly in production under the scientific method.

The study of these operations were conducted through the observation of the methods used by workers. From his observations, hypotheses emerged to develop better procedures and ways to work. He experimented his hypotheses with the help of workers in their free time; the methods he proved improved production. They were put in practice in every-day-work, with previous training from operators.

Frederick Taylor concluded that all of this was applicable to any human organization. Among his conclusions we find:

  • There was no effective work system.
  • There were no economic incentives for the workers if they improved their labor.
  • Decisions were made in an empirical or military manner over a more scientific knowledge.
  • The workers were incorporated in their labor without taking into consideration their skills or ability.

Frederick Taylor developed methods to organize work, considering material, equipment and the abilities of every individual. These have been called times and movements, now known as system or process operations.

He published in 1911 a book titled "The Principles of Scientific Administration", and its body is based in these four principles:

1. Substituting practical rules for scientific precepts.
2. Obtaining harmony instead of discord.
3. Cooperation in the place of individualism.
4. Scientific selection, education, and development of workers.

The influence of Taylor in administrative thinking was and still is of great importance. Nowadays, he is present all over the world, but his objectives have been modified and humanized.