Job Design

Paper Summary:

This essay explains what is meant by the concept of job design, and by outlining the main features of scientific management, provides an assessment of its strengths and weaknesses as an approach. The essay shows that, although there are weaknesses in scientific management by itself the strengths are evidenced by the fact that scientific management survives in industry today. However, as an approach to job design, the weaknesses far outweigh the strengths.

From the Paper:

"One such approach is Scientific Management, the brainchild of Frederick Winslow Taylor, the founding father. Taylor was annoyed, perhaps even angry, at the depressing scene that unfolded before him in the workplace. Due to the war efforts, there was a severe shortage of labor, and the little workers there were, tended to engage in the act of 'soldiering', either 'natural', or 'systematic', with Taylor believing the latter to be the 'greater evil'. There was clearly a need for a larger labor force, or perhaps at the very least, a more effective and efficient workforce that could be more productive, possibly even doubling the output without an apparent increase in workers."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bratton, J., and Gold, J. (2003) Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice. (3rd Ed.) Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
• CCOHS, (2002) Wellness in the Workplace. Guide. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety.
• Chisholm, D. (2006) Neatness Doesn't Count. Naval War College Preview. Spring 2006, Vol. 59, No. 2.
• Davis, L.E., and Taylor, J.C. (1979) Design of Jobs. (2nd Ed.) Santa Monica: Goodyear Publishing Company, Inc.
• Kakar, S. (1970) Frederick Taylor: A Study in Personality and Innovation. Massachusetts: Heffernan Press.

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