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Scientific Theory of Management in a Small Organization
Giannantonio and Hurley- Hanson in their article titled “Fredrick Winslow Taylor: Reflections on the relevance of the principles of scientific management 100 years later” point out that Taylor in his work, “The principles of scientific management”, presented the necessity and procedures of studying an employees’ work in a scientific manner to increase the efficiency of both the employee and the organization (Giannantonio & Hurley- Hanson, 2011). Over one hundred years later, Taylor’s contribution remains relevant in the management of smaller enterprises.
Scientific theory calls for efficiency which is a major concern for small organizations to become successful. Salimath and Jones III (2011) point out that scientific management helps organizational management to evaluate the internal and external factors leading to efficient operation within a large organization. Nevertheless, the researchers posit that scientific management is applicable to small and medium organizations. Hence, it is possible for small and medium enterprises to experience the benefits of efficiency as contained in the theory. Salimath and Jones III note that the theory advocates for the scientific management of employee affairs including scientific recruitment and training. This may result in cooperation between employees and management leading to efficient implementation of scientific procedures in the accomplishment of tasks within an enterprise. Bell and Martin (2012) suggest that McDonald’s employs scientific management for process efficiency especially in the assembling process of the McDonald’s hamburger. Ford motors applies scientific theory in assigning individual staffs to tasks they are more qualified so as to achieve higher productivity (Degan, 2011). This principle was advocated for by Taylor as a method of attaining productivity.
Response to Critics of Scientific Management
Marshal in his theory points out that scientific theory is not flexible and makes employees to operate like machines because of specialization and division of labor. Marshal suggests the need to allow creativity and freedom at work place to become efficient from an economic point of view (Caldari, 2007). However, Marshal values the importance of mankind in production processes than production itself as he fails to point out the potential shortcomings of scientific management on efficiency and employee welfare. Caldari (2007) suggests that it is in this effect that scientific management does not advocate for the immediate application of imaginations and the need for creativity at place of work. However, both Marshal and Taylor agree that division of labor is essential for all organizations, implying that an integration of both theories can result in higher production.
References
Bell, R. L., & Martin, J. S. (2012). The relevance of scientific management and equity theory in everyday managerial communication situations. Journal of Management Policy and Practice, 13(3), 106-115.
Caldari, K. (2007). Alfred Marshall's critical analysis of scientific management∗. The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, 14(1), 55-78.
Degan, R. J. (2011). Fordism and Taylorism are responsible for the early success and recent decline of the US motor vehicle industry (No. 81). Retrieved from. http://globadvantage.ipleiria.pt/files/2011/09/working_paper-81_globadvantage.pdf.
Giannantonio, C. M., & Hurley-Hanson, A. E. (2011). Frederick Winslow Taylor: reflections on the relevance of the principles of scientific management 100 years later. Journal of Business and Management, 17(1),1-7.
