Frederick W. Taylor introduced a system of working known as scientific management. Scientific management is a theory of management that analyzes and optimizes workflows. It was one of the earliest attempts to apply science to the engineering of processes and to management.
Scientific management is based on the following principles:
- The development of a science for each element of a worker’s job, which replaces the old rule-of-thumb method.
- Scientific selection and training of workers.
- Cooperation between management and workers to ensure that the work is done in accordance with the principles of science.
- Division of work between management and workers.
Scientific management has been criticized for its focus on efficiency and its disregard for human factors. However, it has also been credited with improving productivity and efficiency in many industries.
Here is a brief description of each option:
- Line organization: A line organization is a simple organizational structure in which authority flows from the top to the bottom of the organization.
- Line and staff organization: A line and staff organization is a more complex organizational structure in which there are two types of employees: line employees, who have authority over the work of others, and staff employees, who provide advice and support to line employees.
- Functional organization: A functional organization is an organizational structure in which employees are grouped according to their functional specialties, such as marketing, finance, or production.
- Effective organization: An effective organization is an organization that is able to achieve its goals.