Question

Frederick Winslow Taylor's scientific management proposed several core principles. Which of the following accurately represents one of his principles?

1. Taylor advocated for 'Rule of thumb, not science' in management decisions to allow for greater flexibility.
2. One of his fundamental principles was 'Co-operation, not individualism,' emphasizing mutual effort and teamwork between management and labor.
3. He believed in 'Restricted output, in place of maximum output' to prevent worker burnout and ensure job security.
4. The 'mental revolution' primarily meant workers competing fiercely to maximize their individual wages, rather than cooperating.

• A. All
• B. 2 only
• C. 3, 4
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 2 only

• Taylor advocated for 'Rule of thumb, not science' in management decisions... This is the opposite of Taylor's core belief. His first principle was "Science, not rule of thumb," which meant replacing old, arbitrary methods with a scientific study of work.

• He believed in 'Restricted output, in place of maximum output'... This is also the opposite of Taylor's principles. His primary goal was to maximize output and efficiency. He sought to eliminate what he called "soldiering," which was the deliberate restriction of output by workers.

• The 'mental revolution' primarily meant workers competing fiercely to maximize their individual wages... The "mental revolution" was Taylor's term for a complete shift in attitude from both management and labor. It was about a cooperative mindset where both sides worked together to increase the "size of the surplus" (profit) through maximum efficiency, rather than competing over it.