Which of the following describe a shortcoming of Taylor’s work on scientific principles of management?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Taylor’s scientific management emphasized time-and-motion studies, task standardization, division of labor, and differential piece-rate pay, which led to a mechanistic view of labor.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Core tenets of Taylorism: scientific analysis of tasks, selection and training of workers, standard methods, separation of planning (management) from execution (workers), and monetary incentives tied to output. 
- Major criticisms: dehumanization of workers, neglect of social and psychological factors, undermining of craftsmanship, and conflicts with labor/union interests. The human-relations movement and Hawthorne studies later highlighted these social dimensions neglected by Taylor.

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- Taylor used time-and-motion studies to find the “one best way” to perform tasks and imposed standard procedures. Managers planned work scientifically; workers executed simplified, highly specialized tasks.
- Incentive systems (piece rates) focused on individual output, reinforcing an instrumental treatment of workers as parts of a production system.
- These features logically produce the criticism that Taylor saw workers as interchangeable machine-like units rather than full human beings with social and psychological needs.

3) Calculations
- Not applicable (conceptual question).

4) Why the correct answer is correct
- Option: "He thought of workers as machine tools to be manipulated rather than as human beings." This succinctly captures the primary shortcoming: Taylor’s emphasis on efficiency and control reduced labor to measurable motions and outputs, ignoring motivation, job satisfaction, and group dynamics.

5) Why the other options are incorrect
- Option 2: “He generally focused on strategy and implementation instead of management system.” Incorrect because Taylor focused explicitly on designing a management system and work methods, not abstract strategy.
- Option 3: “He focused on group pressures by focusing on group incentives instead of individual incentives.” Incorrect; Taylor emphasized individual piece-rate incentives, not group incentives.
- Option 4: “With his work Taylor was able to make friends with employees and union but not the management.” Incorrect and historically false—Taylor’s methods often provoked worker and union resistance and were more readily embraced by managers seeking efficiency.

Conclusion: The best description of a shortcoming is that Taylor treated workers like machine tools, which matches the provided correct answer.

Which of the following describe a shortcoming of Taylor’s work on scientific principles of management?Single choice

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