scientific management Flashcards
systematic soldiering
keeping employers ignorant of how fast work can be done
where can a knowledge gap be found
between managers and workers
time motion studies/ four principles of scientific management
Replace working by “rule of thumb,” or simple habit and common sense, and instead use the scientific method to study work and determine the most efficient way to perform specific tasks.
Rather than simply assign workers to just any job, match workers to their jobs based on capability and motivation, and train them to work at maximum efficiency.
Monitor worker performance, and provide instructions and supervision to ensure that they’re using the most efficient ways of working.
Allocate the work between managers and workers so that the managers spend their time planning and training, allowing the workers to perform their tasks efficiently.
henry ford application of taylorism
Applying Taylor’s idea to the manufacture of cars reduced the average time of production for a Model T down to 93 minutes, enabling him to lower the price down to $575. By 1914, Ford had captured 48% of the automobile market.
beaueaucracy
A system for controlling or managing a country, company or organisation that is operated by a large number of officials employed to follow rules carefully.
Eg: ‘I had to deal with the university’s bureaucracy when I was applying for financial aid.’
features of ideal bureaucracy structure
- division of labour: complex work broke down into simple jobs
2: hierarchy of authority: accepted chain of command to direct individuals effort towards organisational goal accomplishment
3: impersonality: hiring and promoting people and the basis of objective merit rather than favouritism, (what they know not who they know)
4: formal selection: technical competence members selected accordingly on the basis of training, qualification, education etc.
webers bureaucracy
Destroys irrational ways of organising eg rule of monarch, dictator, mob
Leads to a ‘rationalist’ way of life.
Every position is filled by appointed experts in the work.
Members work impersonally and impartially.
A hierarchical , controlled, efficient and ordered way of organising people.
Fundamentally, domination though knowledge.
An inevitable response to increased speed in communications and the rapid pace of social and organisational change.
Divorces ownership from control.
An ‘ideal-type’ model.
henri fayol
universal principles for the rational administration of organisational activities
he specified the responsibilities of a manager: planning/organisisng/ commanding/ co-ordinating/ controlling
mary parker follet
looked at self government within organisatyions
principles contributing to strong social communities could be applied to creating successful organisations
suggested that organisations should embrace demoractic ideals and exert power with not power over people
advantages of bureaucracy
Focus on formalisation and standardisation can be useful for organisations which are characterised mainly by routine tasks or for organisations such as the military or hospitals – rules matter more than innovation?
Formal procedures - for example with respect to promotion – enable fairness and meritocracy.
disadvantage of bureaucracy
Bureaucracies are characterized by rigidity (‘red tape’), a focus on process, and low commitment and are not suitable to rapid change required in business today.
A flatter structure may be preferable (the ‘post-bureaucratic organization’).
Bureaucracy stifles creativity and is dehumanising. So only suitable for some organisations.
