Motivational Theories - Taylor and Scientific Management 1.4.4


Scientific Management - A motivational theory developed by Frederick Taylor to try and increase the productivity in businesses, specifically factories.







 ADVANTAGES OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT
  • Avoids inaccuracy in production of products
  • Better planning and decision making
  • Enhances teamwork - cooperation between managers and workers
  • Maximises productivity
  • Improved democracy in the workplace
  • Increased opportunities for workers to acquire further training
DISADVANTAGES OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT
  • Not suitable for big firms, only small organisations
  • Managerial decisions may involve severe stress for managers due to need for complete control over the work place
  • Feelings of pressure among employees mainly influenced by piece rate as if they don't make enough of their product, they wont get enough money to live on.
  • May demotivate employees due to repetition of task with no flexibility
  • In order to meet productivity requirements, quality may suffer
  • As productivity increased, fewer people were need to do the work therefore job security was unsure

Key summary for Taylor:
  • Workers given one repetitive task so they can learn to master it
  • Managers should give orders and closely control workers
  • Workers should be paid per item they produced – piece rate

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