a machinist @ tabor company, firm frederick taylor s consultancy applied practice, 1905
scientific management evolved in era when mechanization , automation still in infancy. ideas , methods of scientific management extended american system of manufacturing in transformation craft work (with humans possible agents) mechanization , automation, although proponents of scientific management did not predict extensive removal of humans production process. concerns on labor-displacing technologies rose increasing mechanization , automation.
by factoring processes discrete, unambiguous units, scientific management laid groundwork automation , offshoring, prefiguring industrial process control , numerical control in absence of machines carry out. taylor , followers did not foresee @ time; in world, humans execute optimized processes. (for example, although in era instruction open valve whenever pressure gauge b reads on value x carried out human, fact had been reduced algorithmic component paved way machine agent.) however, 1 of common threads between world , ours agents of execution need not smart execute tasks. in case of computers, not able (yet) smart (in sense of word); in case of human workers under scientific management, able not allowed. once time-and-motion men had completed studies of particular task, workers had little opportunity further thinking, experimenting, or suggestion-making. forced play dumb of time, led revolts.
the middle ground between craft production of skilled workers , full automation occupied systems of extensive mechanization , partial automation operated semiskilled , unskilled workers. such systems depend on algorithmic workflows , knowledge transfer, require substantial engineering succeed. although taylor s intention scientific management optimize work methods, process engineering pioneered tends build skill equipment , processes, removing need skill in workers. such engineering has governed industrial engineering since then. essence of successful offshoring. common theme in these cases businesses engineer way out of need large concentrations of skilled workers, , high-wage environments sustain them. creates competitive advantage on local level of individual firms, although pressure exerts systemically on employment , employability externality.
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