Question

Describe the principles behind Taylorist and Fordist rational work design.

Answer 1

Principles behind Taylorist work design are as follows:

• The primitive industrial methods should be eliminated, and scientific design should be studied to make tasks perfect.

• Labors are chosen scientifically according to their types, and orientations. They are provided with training by the manager. Employees have no control over themselves in the workplace as management carefully watches each of their activities.

• Workers are assigned jobs after scientific scrutiny to find out the possible ways for conducting tasks. Necessary tools are used to analyze and pinpoint tasks before allocating it to the employees for the day. Results are expected according to the managerial scrutiny, job allocation, and employees performance.

• Workers can perform 'first-class'. Managers must find out the most suitable one for the job.

• Concerns for managers and workers are never the same. Managers supervise the task which the labor carries out.

• Workers responsibilities should be laid out in advance. Managers have the sole responsibility to make a scientific change in the working style of employees to reduce the waste of time.

• Labors should be paid according to their performance.

Principles of Fordist rational work design are as follows:

• Autocratic management must be in power in the organizations.

• There must be a division of labor, according to employees.

• Employees cannot get any freedom at the workplace

• Employees should be assured with high wages.

• Standardization of work is the first choice using updated machinery.

• Unskilled workers should be given the special-purpose tools to achieve their targets.