Fordism Flashcards
What is it?
An organisational behaviour that was introduced by Henry Ford in 1913 as Ford believed that there weren’t enough workmen to meet the increasing level of demand
What were the four elements of the production line?
1) Division of labour
2) Machines arranged in sequence
3) Moving conveyor belt
4) Standardised parts and components
What did ford say about skilled craftsmen?
Theres no need for skilled craftsmen as men can now quickly learn as each stage has been broken down into small parts
- Although this sped things up only 200 cars were being produced a year leading to introduction of conveyor belt
Key points about the conveyor belt?
- Was introduced as the division of labour didn’t have the large impact that Ford had hoped for
- By 1923 the daily production of cars had increased to 2000 a day
- Led production time to increase from 12 and a half hours to 2 hrs 45 mins
In 1914 how many miles did Ford estimate to have saved his workers?
In 1914 Ford estimated to have saved his workers walking 50 miles a year
What principles did Ford introduce to remove waste and inefficiency?
- Applied principles of scientific management where he had an authoritarian work regime with closely monitored un-remmiting tasks
What caused many men to chose to leave?
Management setting the speed of the conveyor belt to a pace many saw as too fast
What was Fords answer to men choosing to leave the factory?
- In 1914 Ford decided to raise pay to 5$ a day which resulted in a raise in applications as well as in production
- Allowed him to build the biggest factor in the world with 2500 cars being produced a day by 80,000 men
- Saving scheme was also put in place to help workers buy what they were making
What year did fordism rly take off?
- The 1920s saw other components take on fordham as mass production was feeding mass consumption
reference of Ford on wages?
- “Paying good wages is not charity at all - it is the best kind of business” Ford 1919
Criticisms of fordism?
- Assembly line tasks are repetitive and tiring. Workers are only trained for one role so their knowledge base is limited which may be demotivating as they feel alienated from other areas
- Long working hours don’t take well being into account e.g Apple example
What was Bravermans 1974 criticism of Fordism?
‘Capitalist work regimes are marked by routinisation, deskilling and the separation of mental and manual labour, all of which are sources of alienation’ Braverman H 1974 Labour and monopoly capitalism, the degradation of work in the 20th century
What are the similarities between fordham then and now?
- In fast food companies such as Mcdonalds each worker is given a small task to make each thing on the menu for example to make a meal one person make the burger, the other the chips and the other the drink
- Fast food industries and other factories have to follow the strict rules the ensure standardisation. Workers were closely monitored and are usually expected to produce a certain number of the product within a certain period
Ford reference on efficiency?
‘To resent efficiency is a mark of inefficiency’ Ford 1925
What are the four features of mcdonaldisation?
1) Efficiency- Every aspect of the organisation is geared towards minimising time
2) Calculability- Emphasis on things being measurable
3) Predictability- Provision of standardised, uniform products and services, irrespective of the time or location
4) Control- standardised and uniform employees perform a limited range of tasks in precise,detialed manner
- All characteristics of fast food restaurants as well as shopping
