"Taylorism" and "Fordism"

Paper Summary:

The paper asks whether we have, as a society, shifted from the mechanized, depersonalization of Fordian production to a more fluid society based upon craftsmanship. The paper notes that, although certain sectors of the technology and service sector may indeed show a change in the paradigm that has shaped American commercial life since the 20th century, Fordism still remains. According to this paper Fordism still remains at Wal-Mart, in the franchise industry, and certainly in the model of labor that characterizes the developing world. The paper analyzes the situation.

Outline:
Introduction
What is 'Fordism'?
What is Taylorism?
Define Post-Fordism
Are We Really in the Post-Fordism Age?
Does Fordism Still Exist? If so Where?
Do We Have Neo-Fordism?
Has Fordism and Taylorism been replaced?
If it Has, How Has it? If it Hasn't, How Much is it Left?
If it is a Combination of Both?

From the Paper:

"But management theorists Michael J. Piore and Charles Sabel have suggested that a new alternative to mass production is evolving. A modem version of craft production is seen as small firms equipped with computer technology can become more adaptable to corporate as well as to small-unit operation, in certain fields like consulting or the provision of special goods and services (Brody 1985, p.614). Even the intense specialization of labor at a large technical company like Google requires a kind of post-Fordian level of craftsmanship."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brody, David Review of Michael J. Piore and Charles F. Sabel. (1985). The Second Industrial Divide: Possibilities for Prosperity. Reviews in American History. Published by the American Historical Society. Vol. 13. No. 4. pp. 612-615.
• Dunn, Bill. (2004). Global Restructuring and the Power of Labour. London: Palgrave/
• Ehrenreich, Barbara. (2002). Nickel and Dimed. New York: Holt.
• "Fordism, Post-Fordism, and the Flexible System of Production." (2008). Willamette University. Retrieved 17 Jan 2008 http://www.willamette.edu/~fthompso/MgmtCon/Fordism_&_Postfordism.htmlF
• Foster, Bellamy. (1988). "The fetish of Fordism - Henry Ford's economic ideas."Monthly Review. March 1988. .

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