This document traces the shift in workplace ethics from the craft ethic of the late 19th century to the entrepreneurial ethic brought about by scientific management in the early 20th century. Under the craft ethic, craft workers had autonomy over their work processes while management determined production goals. Frederick Taylor then introduced scientific management, developing time studies, job analysis, and standardized tasks to maximize efficiency. While this increased productivity, it reduced worker autonomy and was met with resistance from unions who felt it dehumanized labor.

1. FROM THE CRAFT ETHIC TO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL
ETHIC
The Origins of Scientific
Management

2. Craftsman  Company Man
Beginning of 19th
to Middle of the 20th
Century

3. 1880’s
The Golden Age
Decentralized Decision Making

4. 1880’s
The Golden Age
Foreman acted as Internal Contractor

5. 1880’s
The Golden Age
Management determined what was produced
Foreman supervised/structured production process
Craft workers chose motions and tools to complete
project

6. 1880’s
The Golden Age
Birth of Trade Unions
Generalists  Specialists
Management POSDCORB purview
Employer retained absolute authority

7. 1880’s
The Golden Age
Increased mechanism  dramatic
increases in productivity
Efficiency and speed of machines
Improved
Gains not matched by workers

8. Frederick Winslow Taylor

9. Scientific Management
Time motion studies

10. Scientific Management
Job analysis

11. Scientific Management
Written prescribed tasks and methods

12. Scientific Management
Individualization of work

13. Scientific Management
Motivation through “high wages”

14. Scientific Management
Management as science

15. Scientific Management
“The one best way”

16. Results
Startling achievements in production and reduced
costs
Scientific Management swept through US and
Europe
Taylor greeted with strikes and worker revolts
Workers: “We want our heads left on us!”

17. Criticisms
Employer centered
Loss of meaning for work
Alienation of workers to society
Reduced opportunity
Denied “human community” in workplace
Neglected the environment (a closed system view)