Introduction

Question 1

Scientific Management

Four Principles?

Each worker has a minimum of movements ideally 1 set of actions

Answer 1

• Work should be based on scientific study of tasks to be set
• Identify and train correct individuals for specific jobs
• Clarity of instruction with supervision of implementation
• Allocate workload so that managers underpin planning using “science” and workers implement

Question 2

Scientific Management (6 things)

Answer 2

1. Determine the separate components of each task
2. Measure time taken for each component
3. Find most efficient way of performing each component
4. Develop structured approach to tasks
5. Training in only the skills necessary
6. Increased productivity rewarded by monetary bonuses

Question 3

Criticism of Scientific Management (4)

Answer 3

• Dehumanising approach to management
• Lack of reward for workers psychological needs
• Too prescriptive approach towards management
• By removing “intuition”, innovation and imagination is lost

Question 4

Prescriptive (definition)

Answer 4

relating to the imposition or enforcement of a rule or method.

Question 5

Positive Implications

Micro-level: (within the organisation) (3)

Macro-level: (beyond the organisation) (3)

Answer 5

Micro-level: (within the organisation)

• Efficiency
• Increased Wages
• Improved working conditions of workers
• Workplace Democracy through Codetermination

Macro-level: (beyond the organisation)

• Necessary change for industrial development
• Cheaper and better products
• Employee Voice

Question 6

Ford - Fordism

What is it commonly known as?
What does it follow?

Answer 6

Commonly known as a system of mass production
Followed the basic principles

• Structured approach to tasks
• Decomposition of Tasks into components
• Specialisation of tools
• Assembly of tool into the machine
• Time taken to perform task
• Execution of tasks by workers
• Monetary rewards as motivation

Question 7

Fordism

Mass production enhanced by: (3)

Answer 7

• Scientific Management
• Intensive mechanisation
• Continuous flow principles of the semiautomatic assembly line = Lowest cost, little waste

Question 7

Differences between Taylorism and Fordism (uf)

Approach to machinery - Organized labour around existing machinery - Eliminated labour
Technology and the work design - Took production process as given and sought to re-organize work and labour processes - Used technology to mechanize the work process. Workers fed and tended machines

Pace of work
Pace of work -

Question 8

Criticism of Fordism (4)

Answer 8

• Dehumanising approached to management (even further degradation of work)
• Deskilling of workers (“trained Gorillas” as Taylor called them)
• No regard for workers psychological needs
• Money as the only motivator for people

Question 9

Plaudits and criticisms of lean working (similar to lean production management) (UF)

Plaudits:

• Offers employees skill acquisition
• Expands workers’ skill repertoire
• Provides more fulfilling jobs
• Allows staff to initiate improvements
• Encourages teamworking and multi-skilling
• Facilitates job rotation
• Promotes organizational learning
• Facilitates continuous improvement
• Empowers employees
• Enlarges jobs

Question 10

Implications of Fordism

Micro: (2)

Macro: (3)

Answer 10

Micro: (2)

• 8 hr working day
• Increased Wages

Macro:

• Faster and cheaper production
• Enhanced economical growth
• Leading towards mass consumption

Question 11

What are we talking about when we refer to post-Fordism

• Fordism outdated?
• Flexibility required
• Diversification
• Communication and information technology
• Globalisation
• Production vs service sector based economy