Scientific Management And Its Relevance Today Essay - 7

Scientific Management And Its Relevance Today - Essay Example Those who hold such views think that scientific management was not effective then and cannot be in the present days. This essay argues that Taylor’s scientific management system had its weaknesses, but the weakness can guide research towards making the theory more relevant to the current management realities. Scientific Management and its Relevance Today The result of years of experimentation and research that Taylor and his colleagues conducted in the scientific management theory.  The following four principles anchor the theory: Establishment of a science that would increase production; selection and training of personnel that will improve efficiency and increase production; application of the science established to tasks designed; and building of teamwork between personnel and management to realise the set targets (Cannon, 2009). These principles have continued to inform management practices since the 19th century to the modern days. There are many areas within management , industrial and organizational psychology that scientific management principles are applicable today. Scientific management principles has had the greatest impact in two management subfields of human resource and accounting management. Many organizations have implemented these ideas to cost?accounting and management of personnel (Wren, 2005). Areas were these principles are in operation today includes job design, selection, group processes, job performance criteria, organizational change and development, motivation and incentive systems, worker’s attitude and performance appraisal (Payne, et al. 2006). Examination of some general business practices and techniques is one of the means to prove this (Haden, Humphreys, Cooke & Penland, 2012). According to Wren (2011), studies conducted in recent years have shown that Taylor is the leading contributor to theoretical and practical approaches in management. Management researchers like Heames & Breland (2010) found Taylor at the top in their studies. Bedeian and Wren list Taylor’s book, The Principles of Scientific Management as the number one among the 25 most significant management books since the turn of 20th century. These studies were conducted decades after Taylor made the introduction of scientific management to the world. The result of these studies shows that scientific management principles have become an essential human resource tool for many managers. Application scientific management is apparent, for example, when a customer support representative picks a call under pressure from the 90/10 practice (regulations demanding customer support representatives to pick 90 percentage of calls and assist customers within 10 seconds). This regulation has its roots in scientific management as it is about efficiency and productiveness of personnel. Thus, scientific management is evident in such situations were machine-like accuracy is required for improved profitability (Bell & Martin, 2011). Taylorâ₠¬â„¢s experimentation on time and motion provides guidelines of how long it should take workers to perform a task. Time study reduces wasted motions and set a suitable standard of task performance (Wren, 2011). The study helps in the elimination of motions that do not add value to the organization’s production process. Time and motion sensors also assist employers to make decisions on strategies and techniques needed for efficient specialization.