IRHR scientific management Essay

This essay explores the concepts and reasoning behind ‘The ideas or Frederick W. Taylor; An Evaluation’ (Locke 1982). Techniques will also be examined in relevance to Taylor’s contribution to modern day management. Overall this essay will determine how Taylor’s philosophy is interlinked to current modern day theories about employer- employee relationships and whether his principles are considered still binding. Scientific Management was a turning point for management theories, according to Frederick W. Taylor it is simply a scientific based approach to professional decision making. Taylor’s approach involved logical techniques, experiments and detailed and supported research. Taylor’s time and motion study was a component of his approach that assisted in finding out the â€Å"one best way† of completing work, resulting in maximum production and eliminating as much waste as possible along with time and money (Taylor, 1912/1970). The standardization technique that Taylor used in his scientific management is commonly used globally in modern day organisations. Money being a focus motivator in society, regardless of the era in time Taylor used this as an incentive to inspire high worker output and proficiency. After much observation and investigation into his approach, Taylor saw that employees would work harder and more productively when they were encouraged through the dollar. Taylor was a man of logic and structure; goal- setting (tasks) was a component of his approach that involved using every worker and separating tasks up to divide out ensuring quality (Locke, 1982). Taylor’s philosophy is widely acknowledged and useful in today’s advanced business world; although changes and improvements have been made, the origin of his philosophy is still attributed to Taylor’s main concepts in scientific management. A prime example of a modern day organisation that employs Taylor’s scientific management theory is Burger King. This method assists with more accurate production, proficiency and worker fulfilment. Burger Kingis an organisation that is concerned very much with goal setting, all staff are trained specifically to complete necessary tasks. There are many stations in the workplace such as behind the register taking transactions with the customer and taking orders, those who are in charge of the cooking and organising of meals, cleaners that ensure the eating areas are clean and that bathrooms are regularly cleaned. McDonald’s uses the scientific management theory in their operations and has been so far successful and efficient with production for the business. Burger King, successfully and efficiently uses Taylor’s Scientific Management in their day-to-day operations. Taylor’s theory supports and guides Burger Kings human resources department, finances, advertising and more. All their sub departments are run similar to Taylor’s approach. Dividing out specific jobs and classing them in groups for specialised and skilled people to get them done as efficiently as possible. The idea of training as well as rewarding and therefore can provide their staff with a stable working environment, when the workplace is stable and comfortable, workers work harder. Another way Taylor’s approach assist Burger King is regular monitoring of performance and pushing for improvement which avoids this ‘under working’. The employee- employer relationships at Burger King are well maintained due to open communication and equal power is distributed among the staff. Similar again to Taylor’s philosophy, Money is a motivator. And Burger King, being a fast food chain, is certainly motivated by the dollar. There are many similarities between how Burger King is operated and run, although very few, if any, differences. It is clearly evident that Burger King, along with most other fast food chains follow Taylor’s Scientific Method of management. Outlined above is Taylor’s influence to management, as well as the difficulties some businesses have with applying and understanding his theory. I have favoured Taylor’s scientific management philosophy, after much research I reached a solid understanding which led me to believe that his concept was a significant push forward for modern day management. Taylors contributions, although out-dated have been altered to suit todays technologically savvy business society. Reference List Locke, Edwin A , (Jan 1982). The ideas of Frederick W. Taylor: An Evaluation . The Academy of Management Review (pre- 1986), pp.14-22, 7, 000001; ABI/ INFORM Global Maqbool, M., Zakariya, A., &Paracha, A.. (2011) A Critique on Scientific Management. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 3(4), 843- 855. Retrieved August 20, 2013, from ABI/INFORM Global Robert, K. (2007). Taylorism Up Close and Personal: Hugh G. Aitken’s Taylorism at Watertown Arsenal. , 48(1), 1-9 Taneja, S., Pryor, M., & Toombs, L.. (2011). Frederick W. Taylor’s Scientific Management Principles: Relevance and Validity. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 16(3), 60-79. Retrieved August 20, 2013, from ABI/INFORM Global