Question
Download Solution PDFComprehension
Read the following passage carefully, and answer the questions.
Scientific management is a theory of management that analyzes and synthesizes workflows. Its main objective is improving economic efficiency, especially labor productivity. It was one of the earliest attempts to apply science of engineering processes to management. Scientific Management is also known as Taylorism after its pioneer, Frederick Winslow Taylor.
Taylor began the theory's development in the the United states during the 1880 s and 1890 s within manufacturing industries, especially steel. Its peak of influence came in the 1910s. Although Taylor died in 1915, by the 1920s scientific management was still influential but had entered into competition and syncretism with opposing or complementary ideas.
The Midvale Steel Company, "one of America's great armor plate making plants," was the birthplace of scientific management. In 1877, Frederick W. Taylor started as a clerk in Midvale, but advanced to foreman in 1880 . As foreman, Taylor was constantly impressed by the failure of team members to produce more than about one-third of what he deemed a good day's work. Taylor determined to discover, by scientific methods, how long it should take men to perform each given piece of work; and it was in the fall of 1882 that he started to put the first features of scientific management into operation. Although scientific management as a distinct theory or school of thought was obsolete by the 1930s, most of its themes are still important parts of industrial engineering and management today.
Which of the following is not correct statement?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is Frederick W. Taylor started as a clerk in Midvale, but advanced to a senior supervisor in 1880
Key Points
- Frederick W. Taylor advanced to foreman, not senior supervisor, in 1880:
- The passage clearly states that Taylor became a "foreman" in 1880. The term "senior supervisor" does not appear and is not equivalent in context.
- This distinction matters in financial enterprises, as titles represent levels of responsibility and hierarchy, which affect pay scales, budgeting for human resources, and operational decision-making.
- Accurate designation of roles ensures proper workflow documentation and helps in labor cost analysis — a key component of efficient enterprise resource planning.
Additional Information
- Scientific management is a theory of management that analyzes and synthesizes workflow:
- This statement is accurate. It directly aligns with the passage, which introduces scientific management as a theory focused on improving workflow and efficiency.
- By the 1920s, scientific management was still influential but had entered into competition and syncretism with other ideas:
- This is correct. The passage clearly mentions that scientific management remained influential in the 1920s but was integrating or competing with other management theories.
- Taylor began his theory’s development within manufacturing industries:
- This is true. The text mentions he developed his theory in the steel industry, a key part of manufacturing during that era.