Frederick W. Taylor was a central figure in the development of management thought. Taylor is considered the most influential contributor by management and business historians. His work was more reform than scientific. He willingly used others ideas that worked, like Gantt’s task and bonus incentive plan and the Hayes-Basley accounting system.
THE EVOLUTION OF MANAGEMENT THOUGHT, 6TH EDITION Electronic Resource by: Regina Greenwood and Julia Teahen Part Two The Scientific Management Era Chapter Seven The Advent of Scientific Management Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915) Taylor’s Early Years Taylor on far right, pictured with mother, father, grandfather, younger sister Mary and older brother Edward Frederick Taylor was born in Germantown, PA in 1856 Father – Prosperous Lawyer Mother – Puritan roots to Colonial times Taylor’s Early Years Frederick Taylor Taylor, on the left, with brother Edward & sister Mary Taylor’s Early Years Advantage of fine prep school – Philips Exeter Academy, NH Travels to Europe Membership in an exclusive social club Did not go to Harvard due to failing eyesight Began as a factory apprentice pattern maker His early experiences as a worker shaped his views of management Taylor at Midvale Steel Started as a laborer in 1878 and worked his way into management As a worker, then a first line supervisor, he observed numerous industrial practices that led him to his life’s work Frederick W Taylor from his Midvale days, circa 1886 Courtesy Frederick Winslow Taylor Collection, Taylor at Midvale Steel Taylor’s “report card” from Phillips Exeter Academy Taylor took a home study course to get his college degree in mechanical engineering in 1883 from Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken, New Jersey Natural Soldiering Natural soldiering – “the natural instinct and tendency of men to take it easy.” Taylor blamed management for not designing jobs properly and not offering proper incentives Taylor initially thought that a supervisor may be able to inspire or force workers to stop natural soldiering Other Ideas of Taylor Human factor – “systems” were not enough…there must be a good relationship between workers and managers Resistance to change – this is to be expected, but with time and explanations, people would see the benefits “Scientific management at every step of the way has been an evolution, not a theory.” (Taylor 1915) Drawing of “Steam Hammer” Taylor’s Patents Taylor’s wealth was increased from his various patents Taylor’s Patents Actual Press…notice the man standing next to the machine to depict the size of the press Taylor’s Patents TwoHandled Golf Club Tennis Racket with Curved Handle Personal Information on Taylor Taylor as a crossdresser: during a theatrical performance by an all-male club of which he was a member, he took the role of “Miss Lillian.” Taylor said that there were only two places so sacred that no one should “swear”…the home and the golf course Taylor’s love of golf led to soil and grass studies Boxly - Taylor’s Home Recreated room with actual furnishings from Taylor’s home located at Steven’s Institute Taylor’s Wife Louise Taylor’s Family The Taylor’s did not have any children of their own They adopted their friends’ three younger children after the parents’ sudden death Taylor’s Death Taylor’s grave site at the West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia Taylor died the day after his 59th birthday from pneumonia in 1915 His wife died in 1949 By that time the Taylor family plot was full but Louise wanted to be buried by Fred Her remains were cremated and the urn was placed in Fred’s grave This was not a last effort at efficiency but necessitated by Taylor’s Books Taylor’s Books Shop Management was published in 1903 It was based on a speech delivered earlier to the ASME The Principles of Scientific Management was published in 1911 by Harper and Row Speculation exists over the true authorship of the book; although published under Taylor's name, Harper and Row paid all royalties to Morris L Cooke Summary Frederick W Taylor was a central figure in the development of management thought Taylor is considered the most influential contributor by management and business historians His work was more reform than scientific He willingly used others ideas that worked, like Gantt’s task and bonus incentive plan and the Hayes-Basley accounting system Summary Frederick W Taylor came into the industrial scene at a time when better management was needed; He gave credibility to the idea of managing more efficiently while paying workers higher wages; He foresaw the need for planning through setting standards; Others would extend his idea of firstclass workers into better personnel management; He made advances in improving jobs, What contributions did Taylor make that would be considered important to management theory and practice today? ... Two The Scientific Management Era Chapter Seven The Advent of Scientific Management Frederick Winslow Taylor (185 6-1 915) Taylor’s Early Years Taylor on far right, pictured with mother, father,... At the time, Scientific Management was the latest management fad…it was bigger than reengineering and lean manufacturing is today The ad on the left demonstrates the popularity However, the. .. must work together to share to make the pie bigger – not get a bigger piece to the Mental Revolution This “revolution” emphasized the need of both labor and management to change their attitudes