Question

Which of the following is not a principle of management given by Taylor?

• A. Science, not rule of thumb
• B. Functional foremanship
• C. Cooperation, not individualism
• D. Harmony, not discord

Hint:

Taylor’s principles focused on improving efficiency through scientific methods, cooperation, and harmony in the workplace.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding Taylor's principles of management.
Frederick Taylor, the father of scientific management, introduced several principles of management. These include using scientific methods (not just rule of thumb), promoting cooperation among workers (not individualism), and ensuring harmony in the workplace. Functional foremanship, however, was not one of his core principles—it is a specialized approach to organizing workers.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Science, not rule of thumb: This is one of Taylor's core principles. He advocated for the use of scientific methods rather than relying on traditional or instinctive practices.
(B) Functional foremanship: Correct. Functional foremanship is not one of Taylor's fundamental principles, though it was part of his broader theory of management. It refers to dividing the supervisor's tasks among several specialists.
(C) Cooperation, not individualism: This is correct. Taylor emphasized the need for cooperation between workers and management, rather than individualistic approaches.
(D) Harmony, not discord: This is correct. Taylor advocated for harmony in the workplace to reduce conflicts and improve productivity.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) Functional foremanship, as it is not a central principle given by Taylor in scientific management.