Scientific Management Approach is one of the important approaches in the field of Administrative

Theory. This Theory came in the wake of new industrial revolution that has taken place during the later
part of the nineteenth century. This approach is an attempt to solve problems of complex organisations
that have emerged as a result of industrial development. F W Taylor (1856-1915) is regarded as the
father of scientific management and was one of the first management consultants. A pioneer of the
modern management approaches and techniques, Taylor believed that the “best management is a true
science,” applicable to all social activities, including, management of homes, farms, churches,
philanthropic institutions, universities and Govt departments.

What is Scientific Management Theory?

Scientific management theory is a theory of management. It synthesizes and analyzes workflows. Its
major purpose is improving especially labor productivity, economic efficiency. It was an old effort which
is to apply science to the engineering of the procedure and to management. However, there is given a
definition. For example: Scientific Management is an art of knowing exactly what you want your men to
do and seeing that they do it in the best and cheapest way.
Comparison Chart – Comparison between Taylor and Fayol
Approach
BASIS FOR
HENRY FAYOL F.W. TAYLOR
COMPARISON
Henry Fayol, is a father of modern F.W. Taylor, is a father of scientific
management who laid down fourteen management who introduced four
Meaning
principles of management, for improving principles of management, for increasing
overall administration. overall productivity.
Concept General theory of administration Scientific Management
Emphasis Top level management Low level management
Applicability Universally applicable Applies to specialized organizations only.
Basis of
Personal Experience Observation and Experimentation
formation
Orientation Managerial function Production and Engineering
System of Wage
Sharing of profit with managers. Differential Payment System
Payment
Approach Manager’s approach Engineer’s approach

Similarities between the management thoughts of Taylor

and Fayol:
There are certain similarities between the management
thoughts of these two scholars. They are listed below.

1) Both aimed at improving the then prevailing conditions of

management and putting it on a rational basis. Taylor used the
expression ‘Scientific Management’; Fayol ‘A Theory of
Administration’. They were at one in the scientific enthusiasm
which they bought to bear on practical problems. The Science
of Management is indebted to both.

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2) Both were engineers by profession and developed ideas and

principles on management from their personal experiences,
that is, the approach of both was practical.

3) Both were ‘scientists before managers’. Taylor

experimented with high-speed steel, the technique of cutting
metals and metals melting. Fayol’s early researches were
directed to shafting, timbering and the geological structure of
the mines,

4) Both recognized to a limited extent the importance of the

human factor and of enthusing the workers. ‘No system of
management should be applied in a wooden way’, observed
Taylor. ‘The manager can quickly transform men with latest
abilities into employees of the first water, pointed out Fayol.

Both, however, thought mainly of financial incentives for the

purpose of improving the productivity of labour. Taylor
evolved a differential piece rate system. Fayol suggested profit
sharing, and

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5) Both referred to the universal of management, though Fayol

was more persistent about it.

The relative contributions of these two pioneers have been

reviewed by Urwick in his forward to the English translation
of General and Industrial Management in the following words:
“The work of Taylor and Fayol was, of course, essentially
complementary.

They both realized that the problem of personnel and its

management at all levels is the ‘key’ to industrial success.
Both applied scientific method to this problem. That Taylor
worked primarily on the cooperative level from the bottom of
the industrial hierarchy upwards, while Fayol concentrated on
the Managing Director and worked downwards, was merely a
reflection of their very different careers.

But Fayol’s capacity to see and to acknowledge this publicity

was an example of his intellectual integrity and generosity of
spirit. They gave France a Unified management body more
than twenty years before the same idea began to be realized in
Great Britain”.

1.Both are Pioneers:Taylor & Fayol are the two Pioneers in the
evolution of management thought.2.Both pointed out problems of
personnel: Taylor & Fayol both pointed out that the problem of
personnel and its management at all levels is the ‘master-key’ to
industrial productivity and progress.3.Both implied scientific approach:
Both implied scientific approach and scientific method to solve the
managerial problems.4. Success depends upon proper utilization of
human resources: both had realized that success of a business
enterprise depends largely on proper utilization of human
resources.5.Stress on the technical and professional aspect: Both
stressed on the technical or professional aspect of the
management.6.Both are responsible for managerial revolution: Both
are responsible for managerial revolution which took place after 1940.
7. Successful managers by profession: Both of them were initially
successful managers by profession. They, therefore, approached this
new science of management from a practical point of view. 8. Criticism
for neglecting human psychology: Both approaches are criticized on
the ground of neglecting human psychology. Behavior of the
employees under different conditions is not studied in either of these
theories. 9. Both wanted to secure maximum: both wanted to secure
maximum from available resources.10. Both developed principle of
division of work: Both of them developed the principle of division of
work. Taylor introduced the principle of unity of command which was
later developed by Fayol