Contents [Hide] 1 Taylor - Scientific Management

 In the context of managing staff behaviour, Taylor believed that by analysing work in a scientific manner, it was possible to find the one best way to perform a task.

He felt that by organising work in the most efficient way, the organisation's productivity would be increased, allowing it to reward employees with additional remuneration, which Taylor argued was employee's only motivation.

To accomplish this, Taylor's scientific management consisted of four key principles:

• Tasks should be analysed in detail to determine the most efficient methods to use - i.e. they should be planned to maximise efficiency.
• Staff members should be scientifically managed. Only the most suitable people should be chosen, trained and developed for each job.
• Managers should make all key decisions and provide detailed instructions for workers to follow in order to maximise efficiency.
• Work was to be divided between managers and workers, with close co-operation between the two groups to increase efficiency.

This approach can still be seen today. For example in many call centres, targets are set for the number of calls to be take in a predetermined period and rewards are based on the achievement of this target.