scientific management.
prior to the turn of the twentieth century, there was almost no systematic study of management. the practice of management was based on experience and common sense. frederick W. taylor tried to change that view. an engineer, he pursued the idea that through careful scientific analysis the efficiency of work could be improved. his basic theme was that managers should study work scientifically to identify the "one best way" to perform a task.
taylor's scientific management consists of four principles:
1. scientific job analysis. through observation, data gathering, and careful measurement, management determines the "one best way" of performing each job. such job analysis replaces the ole rule-of-thumb method.
2. selection of personnel. once the job is analyzed, the next step is to scientifically select and then train, teach, and develop workers. in the past, workers chose their own work and trained themselves.
3.management cooperation. managers should cooperate with workers to ensure that all work being done is in accordance with the principles of the science that has been developed.
4. functional supervising. managers assume planning organizing, and decision-making activities, whereas workers perform their jobs. in the past, almost all work and the greater part of the responsibility were thrust on workers.