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The Psychology of Management by Lillian Moller Gilbreth

introduction to psychology and to management, can suggest the

1709 words  |  Chapter 18

relation of these two fields of inquiries and can ultimately enroll its readers as investigators in a resultant great field of inquiry, it will have accomplished its aim. DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT.--To discuss this subject more in detail-- First: What is "Management"? "Management," as defined by the Century Dictionary, is "the art of managing by direction or regulation." Successful management of the old type was an art based on no measurement. Scientific Management is an art based upon a science,--upon laws deducted from measurement. Management continues to be what it has always been,--the _art_ of directing activity. CHANGE IN THE ACCEPTED MEANING.--"Management," until recent years, and the emphasis placed on Scientific Management was undoubtedly associated, in the average mind, with the _managing_ part of the organization only, neglecting that vital part--the best interests of the managed, almost entirely. Since we have come to realize that management signifies the relationship between the managing and the managed in doing work, a new realization of its importance has come about.[6] INADEQUACY OF THE TERMS USED.--It is unfortunate that the English language is so poor in synonyms in this field that the same word must have two such different and conflicting meanings, for, though the new definition of management be accepted, the "Fringe" of associations that belong to the old are apt to remain.[7] The thoughts of "knack, aptitude, tact, adroitness,"--not to speak of the less desirable "Brute Force," "shrewdness, subtlety, cunning, artifice, deceit, duplicity," of the older idea of management remain in the background of the mind and make it difficult, even when one is convinced that management is a science, to think and act as if it were. It must be noticed and constantly remembered that one of the greatest difficulties to overcome in studying management and its development is the meaning of the terms used. It is most unfortunate that the new ideas have been forced to content themselves with old forms as best they may. PSYCHOLOGICAL INTEREST OF THE TERMS.--Psychology could ask no more interesting subject than a study of the mental processes that lie back of many of these terms. It is most unfortunate for the obtaining of clearness, that new terms were not invented for the new ideas. There is, however, an excellent reason for using the old terms. By their use it is emphasized that the new thought is a logical outgrowth of the old, and experience has proved that this close relationship to established ideas is a powerful argument for the new science; but such terms as "task," "foreman," "speed boss," "piece-rate" and "bonus," as used in the science of management, suffer from misunderstanding caused by old and now false associations. Furthermore, in order to compare old and new interpretations of the ideas of management, the older terms of management should have their traditional meanings only. The two sets of meanings are a source of endless confusion, unwarranted prejudice, and worse. This is well recognized by the authorities on Management. THE THREE TYPES OF MANAGEMENT.--We note this inadequacy of terms again when we discuss the various _types_ of Management. We may divide all management into three types-- (1) Traditional (2) Transitory (3) Scientific, or measured functional.[8] Traditional Management, the first, has been variously called "Military," "Driver," the "Marquis of Queensberry type," "Initiative and Incentive Management," as well as "Traditional" management. DEFINITION OF THE FIRST TYPE.--In the first type, the power of managing lies, theoretically at least, in the hands of one man, a capable "all-around" manager. The line of authority and of responsibility is clear, fixed and single. Each man comes in direct contact with but one man above him. A man may or may not manage more than one man beneath him, but, however this may be, he is managed by but one man above him. PREFERABLE NAME FOR THE FIRST TYPE.--The names "Traditional," or "Initiative and Incentive," are the preferable titles for this form of management. It is true they lack in specificness, but the other names, while aiming to be descriptive, really emphasize one feature only, and in some cases with unfortunate results. THE NAME "MILITARY" INADVISABLE.--The direct line of authority suggested the name "Military,"[9] and at the time of the adoption of that name it was probably appropriate as well as complimentary.[10] Appropriate in the respect referred to only, for the old type of management varied so widely in its manifestations that the comparison to the procedure of the Army was most inaccurate. "Military" has always been a synonym for "systematized", "orderly," "definite," while the old type of management was more often quite the opposite of the meaning of all these terms. The term "Military Management" though often used in an uncomplimentary sense would, today, if understood, be more complimentary than ever it was in the past. The introduction of various features of Scientific Management into the Army and Navy,--and such features are being incorporated steadily and constantly,--is raising the standard of management there to a high degree. This but renders the name "Military" Management for the old type more inaccurate and misleading. It is plain that the stirring associations of the word "military" make its use for the old type, by advocates of the old type, a weapon against Scientific Management that only the careful thinker can turn aside. THE NAMES "DRIVER" AND "MARQUIS OF QUEENSBERRY" UNFORTUNATE.--The name "Driver" suggests an opposition between the managers and the men, an opposition which the term "Marquis of Queensberry" emphasizes. This term "Marquis of Queensberry" has been given to that management which is thought of as a mental and physical contest, waged "according to the rules of the game." These two names are most valuable pictorially, or in furnishing oratorical material. They are constant reminders of the constant desire of the managers to get all the work that is possible out of the men, but they are scarcely descriptive in any satisfactory sense, and the visions they summon, while they are perhaps definite, are certainly, for the inexperienced in management, inaccurate. In other words, they usually lead to imagination rather than to perception. THE NAME "INITIATIVE AND INCENTIVE" AUTHORITATIVE.--The term "Initiative and Incentive" is used by Dr. Taylor, and is fully described by him.[11] The words themselves suggest, truly, that he gives the old form of management its due. He does more than this. He points out in his definition of the terms the likenesses between the old and new forms. THE NAME "TRADITIONAL" BRIEF AND DESCRIPTIVE.--The only excuses for the term "Traditional," since Dr. Taylor's term is available, are its brevity and its descriptiveness. The fact that it is indefinite is really no fault in it, as the subject it describes is equally indefinite. The "fringe"[12] of this word is especially good. It calls up ideas of information handed down from generation to generation orally, the only way of teaching under the old type of management. It recalls the idea of the inaccurate perpetuation of unthinking custom, and the "myth" element always present in tradition,--again undeniable accusations against the old type of management. The fundamental idea of the tradition, that it is _oral_, is the essence of the difference of the old type of management from science, or even system, which must be written. It is not necessary to make more definite here the content of this oldest type of management, rather being satisfied with the extent, and accepting for working use the name "Traditional" with the generally accepted definition of that name. DEFINITION OF THE SECOND TYPE OF MANAGEMENT.--The second type of management is called "Interim" or "Transitory" management. It includes all management that is consciously passing into Scientific Management and embraces all stages, from management that has incorporated one scientifically derived principle, to management that has adopted all but one such principle. PREFERABLE NAME FOR SECOND TYPE OF MANAGEMENT.--Perhaps the name "Transitory" is slightly preferable in that, though the element of temporariness is present in both words, it is more strongly emphasized in the latter. The usual habit of associating with it the ideas of "fleeting, evanescent, ephemeral, momentary, short-lived," may have an influence on hastening the completion of the installing of Scientific Management. DEFINITION OF THE THIRD TYPE OF MANAGEMENT.--The third form of management is called "Ultimate," "measured Functional," or "Scientific," management, and might also be called,--but for the objection of Dr. Taylor, the "Taylor Plan of Management." This differs from the first two types mentioned in that it is a definite plan of management synthesized from scientific analysis of the data of management. In other words, Scientific Management is that management which is a science, i.e., which operates according to known, formulated, and applied laws.[13] PREFERABLE NAME OF THE THIRD TYPE OF MANAGEMENT.--The name "Ultimate" has, especially to the person operating under the transitory stage, all the charm and inspiration of a goal. It has all the incentives to accomplishment of a clearly circumscribed task. Its very definiteness makes it seem possible of attainment. It is a great satisfaction to one who, during a lifetime of managing effort, has tried one offered improvement after another to be convinced that he has found the right road at last. The name is, perhaps, of greatest value in attracting the attention of the uninformed and, as the possibilities of the subject can fulfill the most exacting demands, the attention once secured can be held. The name "measured functional" is the most descriptive, but demands the most explanation. The principle of functionalization is one of the underlying, fundamental principles of Scientific Management. It is not as necessary to stop to define it here, as it is necessary to discuss the definition, the principle, and the underlying psychology, at length later. The name "scientific" while in some respects not as appropriate as are any of the other names, has already received the stamp of popular approval. In derivation it is beyond criticism. It also describes exactly, as has been said, the difference between the older forms of management and the new. Even its "fringe" of association is, or at least was when first used, all that could be desired; but the name is, unfortunately, occasionally used indiscriminately for any sort of system and for schemes of operation that are not based on time study. It has gradually become identified more or less closely with
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Chapters

1. Chapter 1 2. CHAPTER I PAGE 3. CHAPTER II 4. CHAPTER III 5. CHAPTER IV 6. CHAPTER V 7. CHAPTER VI 8. CHAPTER VII 9. CHAPTER VIII 10. CHAPTER IX 11. CHAPTER X 12. CHAPTER I 13. 1. Management is a life study of every man who works with other 14. 2. A knowledge of the underlying laws of management is the most 15. 3. This knowledge is to be had _now_. The men who have it are 16. 4. The psychology of, that is, the mind's place in management is 17. 5. It is a division well fitted to occupy the attention of the 18. introduction to psychology and to management, can suggest the 19. 2. what we have defined as the "Transitory" plan of 20. 3. management which not only is not striving to be 21. 4. the distinctive name is the Taylor Plan of Management. 22. 1. To enumerate the underlying principles on which scientific 23. 2. To show in how far the other two types of management vary 24. 3. To discuss the psychological aspect of each principle. 25. 1. The relation of Scientific Management to the other types 26. 3. The relation between the various elements of Scientific 27. 4. The psychology of management in general, and of the three 28. 9. Welfare. 29. 2. Appearance and importance of the idea in Traditional and 30. 3. Appearance and importance of the idea in Scientific 31. 4. Elements of Scientific Management which show the effects 32. 5. Results of the idea upon work and workers. 33. 3. Contrary to a widespread belief that Scientific Management 34. 4. Scientific Management fosters individuality by 35. 5. Measurement, in Scientific Management, is of ultimate 36. 6. These measured ultimate units are combined into methods of 37. 7. Standardization under Scientific Management applies to all 38. 8. The accurate records of Scientific Management make 39. 9. Through the teaching of Scientific Management the 40. 10. The method of teaching of Scientific Management is a 41. 11. Incentives under Scientific Management not only stimulate 42. 12. It is for the ultimate as well as immediate welfare of 43. 13. Scientific Management is applicable to all fields of 44. 14. Scientific Management is applicable to self-management as 45. 15. It teaches men to coöperate with the management as well 46. 17. The psychological element of Scientific Management is the 47. 18. Because Scientific Management is psychologically right it 48. 19. This psychological study of Scientific Management 49. 20. Scientific Management simultaneously 50. 2. Halbert P. Gillette, Paper No. 1, American Society of 51. 6. F.W. Taylor, _Shop Management_, para. 16, Am. Soc. M.E., Paper 52. 9. Morris Llewellyn Cooke, _Bulletin No. 5 of the Carnegie 53. 10. F.W. Taylor, _Shop Management_, para. 234, Am. Soc. M.E., Paper 54. 13. Henry R. Towne, Introduction to _Shop Management_. (Harper & 55. 14. F.W. Taylor, _Principles of Scientific Management_, p. 123. 56. 16. F.W. Taylor, _Principles of Scientific Management_, p. 137. 57. CHAPTER II 58. 1. The importance of the study of the individual, and the 59. 2. The difficulty of the study, and the necessity for great 60. 3. The necessity of considering any one individual trait as 61. 4. The importance of the individual as distinct from the 62. 1. The work is more specialized, hence requires more 63. 2. With standardized methods comes a knowledge to the 64. 3. Motion study, in its investigation of the worker, supplies 65. 1. By psychological and physiological study of workers under 66. 2. By scientific study of the worker made before he comes 67. 1. Determining the capabilities of the boy, that is, seeing 68. 2. Determining the possibilities of his securing work in the 69. 11. Rewards must be prompt and provided for all 70. 12. Appreciation must be shown.[11] 71. 2. It is prepared for the particular individual who is 72. 1. When, where, how, and how much is individuality 73. 2. What consideration is given to the relation of the mind to 74. 3. What is the relative emphasis on consideration of 75. 6. What is the effect toward causing or bringing about 76. 9. L.B. Blan, _A Special Study of the Incidence of Retardation_, 77. 11. F.B. Gilbreth, _Cost Reducing System_, Chap. III. 78. CHAPTER III 79. 4. What are the results to the worker? 80. 9. Good health. 81. 1. That the position will be best filled by a very high and 82. 2. That the man is forced to use every atom of all of his 83. 3. That in many cases the work assigned for him to do calls 84. 4. That psychology tells us that a man fitted to perform some 85. 11. poor investigation of workers' special capabilities. 86. 4. assigning competent workers to fitting work. 87. 8. quantity of additional pay that shall be given for doing it. 88. 1. coöperation with the management in obtaining the prescribed 89. 2. the exercise of their ingenuity in making improvements 90. 3. the fitting of themselves for higher pay and promotion. 91. 4. Disciplinarian 92. 8. Inspector 93. 2. a good observer, able to note minute variations of method, 94. 3. a good teacher. 95. 1. the particular place in the field of knowledge in which 96. 2. the change in the type of criticism expected from the 97. 3. the far greater emphasis placed on duties as a teacher. 98. 6. an offense against the system (disobeying orders), falling 99. 1. in doing the work itself, as will be shown at length in 100. 2. outside of the regular working hours, but in connection 101. 2. Decide whether the place can be best handled as one, or 102. 2. the long time job. 103. 5. Gillette and Dana, _Cost Keeping and Management Engineering_, 104. 7. F.W. Taylor, _Shop Management_, para. 221-231. Harper Ed., 105. 12. For excellent example of special routing see: Charles Day, 106. 13. C. Babbage, _Economy of Manufacturers_. p. 172. "The constant 107. 14. F.W. Taylor, _On the Art of Cutting Metals_, Paper No. 1119, 108. 15. C.G. Barth, _Slide Rules for Machine Shops and Taylor System_. 109. 17. Adam Smith, _Wealth of Nations_, p. 2. "The greatest improvement 110. 18. H.K. Hathaway, _The Value of "Non-Producers" in Manufacturing 111. 19. Gillette and Dana, _Cost Keeping and Management Engineering_, 112. 20. Morris Llewellyn Cooke, _Bulletin No. 5, Carnegie Foundation for 113. 21. H.L. Gantt, _Work, Wages and Profits_, p. 120. 114. CHAPTER IV 115. 1. The student will discover, in the books on experimental 116. 2. He will receive priceless instruction in methods of 117. 4. What accurate measurement determines his 118. 3. time for overcoming delays. 119. 3. be willing to coöperate. 120. 2. that all get an ample compensation for what 121. 3. that under them general welfare is considered; 122. 2. the length of time required for a worker to do a 123. 3. the amount of rest and the time of rest required to 124. 3. how best to use them. 125. 4. furnish resulting timed elements to the synthesizer 126. 1. The maintained tension on a belt bears a close relation to 127. 2. The speed of a buzz planer determines its liability to 128. 2. what function it will be best to assign them to and to 129. 2. ability to assign men to the work which they should do, to 130. 3. ability to predict. On this ability to predict rests the 131. 2. The worker's judgment is appealed to. The method that he uses 132. 3. The worker's reasoning powers are developed. Continuous 133. 4. The worker fits his task, therefore there is no need of 134. 5. There is elimination of soldiering, both natural and 135. 1. The worker will become more and more willing to impart his 136. 2. G.M. Stratton, _Experimental Psychology and Its Bearing upon 137. 4. For apparatus for psychological experiment see Stratton, p. 38, 138. 6. Morris Llewellyn Cooke, Bulletin No. 5, _The Carnegie Foundation 139. 12. F.W. Taylor, _Shop Management_, pp. 398-391. Harper Ed., p. 179. 140. 13. President's Annual Address, Dec., 1906. Vol. 28, Transactions 141. 15. R.T. Dana, For Construction Service Co., _Handbook of Steam 142. 20. F.W. Taylor, _Shop Management_, para. 46. Harper Ed., p. 30. 143. CHAPTER V 144. 3. how many elements that it contains are likely to be 145. 4. how many new elements that it contains are likely to be 146. 5. the probable cost of the work after it has been studied-- 147. 6. The loss, if any, from delaying the work until after it 148. 7. the availability of trained observers and measurers, 149. 8. the available money for carrying on the investigations. 150. 2. "labor imposed, especially a definite quantity or amount 151. 3. "a lesson to be learned; a portion of study imposed by a 152. 5. "burdensome employment; toil." 153. 1. The tools and surrounding conditions with which the work 154. 3. The time that the work shall take is scientifically 155. 5. The quality of the output is prescribed. 156. 1. law of no ratio between the foot-pounds of work done and 157. 3. law of classification of work according to percentage of 158. 6. laws that will predict the right speed, feed and cut on 159. 7. laws for predicting maximum quantity of output that a man 160. 8. laws for determining the selection of the men best suited 161. 1. Compare _Mechanical Analysis_. Taylor and Thompson, _Concrete, 162. 9. London, _Engineering_, Sept. 15, 1911. 163. CHAPTER VI 164. 1. to analyze the best practice known into the smallest 165. 4. to synthesize the necessary standard elements into 166. 1. that all management data would be available to 167. 2. that such data, being available also to all standardizers, 168. 4. that, from a study and comparison of the collected data a 169. 8. All of these various savings could be invested in more 170. 9. These more valuable results would again be available to 171. 1. for use as records of successful methods which may be 172. 2. for use by the instruction card clerk in explaining to 173. 3. What to Do. 174. 2. Qualities of Products. 175. 3. Clearing up. This is the only type used by Scientific 176. 1. Because they directly increase output by eliminating 177. 2. Because all surroundings suggest an easy achievement. Knowing 178. 1. It gives the worker immediate knowledge of the prescribed 179. 2. He does not have to worry as to the maximum variation that 180. 3. There is no fear of criticism or discharge for using his 181. 2. The idea of perfection is not involved in the standard of 182. 6. For desirability of standard signals see R.T. Dana, _Handbook of 183. 8. F.W. Taylor, _Shop Management,_ para. 285, Harper Ed., 184. 14. Charles Babbage, _On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures_, 185. 16. F.A. Parkhurst, _Applied Methods of Scientific Management, 186. 17. H.L. Gantt, paper 928, A.S.M.E., para. 15. 187. CHAPTER VII 188. 3. Increase efficiency. 189. 1. The necessity of having more accurate records of the 190. 2. The necessity for so training the worker, before, as well 191. 2. the work as it is planned out by the managers, and handed 192. 2. to route the worker to the placed materials. 193. 4. Conscious record, conscious programme. 194. 10. Standardized record, standardized programme. 195. 1. One of a gang, unconscious 196. 2. Individual output,--standardized 197. 1. Gillette and Dana, _Cost Keeping and Management Engineering_, 198. 3. Gillette and Dana, _Cost Keeping and Management Engineering_, 199. 5. William James, _Psychology, Briefer Course_, p. 179. 200. CHAPTER VIII 201. 1. "to point out, direct, show;" "to tell, inform, instruct, 202. 3. "to impart knowledge or practical skill to;" "to guide in 203. 1. In that he is required to render reasons in writing for 204. 2. That, as soon as work is placed on the bonus basis, the 205. 2. Teaching of right habits of doing the right methods. 206. 2. Worker has no opportunity under the old industrial 207. 5. Right habits can be instilled. 208. 5. The Management. } 209. 1. Written, by means of 210. 3. Object-lessons: 211. 4. The instruction comes at the exact time that the learner 212. 3. from actual practice in teaching. 213. 10. develops the will. 214. 2. read to oneself aloud--eyes and ears appealed to, also 215. 4. read aloud to one and also read silently by one,-- 216. 5. read aloud, and at the same time copied--eyes, ears, 217. 7. read to one while process is performed by oneself 218. 1. right motions first, that is to say,--the right number 219. 2. speed of motions second, that is to say, constantly 220. 3. constantly improving quality.[25] 221. 2. "The particular one of having images which are not 222. 4. mixed. 223. 3. that he may be sure of advancement with age and 224. 4. that he is sure of the "square deal." 225. 3. Competition with the standard record. 226. 1. During working hours, where the recognition of his 227. 2. Outside the work. He has, under Scientific Management, more 228. 1. A collection of knowledge relating in its entirety to the 229. 2. A definite procedure, that will enable the learner to 230. 12. Opportunities and demands for "thinking" 231. 16. Resultant happiness of worker. 232. 2. H.K. Hathaway, _Prerequisites to the Introduction of Scientific 233. 6. F.W. Taylor, _Shop Management_, para. 289, Harper Ed., 234. 8. W.D. Ennis, _An Experiment in Motion Study, Industrial 235. 9. C.S. Myers, M.D., _An Introduction to Experimental Psychology_, 236. 12. F.B. Gilbreth, _Bricklaying System_, chap. I, _Training of 237. 19. Imbert, _Etudes experimentales de travail professionnel ouvrier, 238. 21. _Ibid._, p. 138. William James, Psychology, Advanced Course. 239. 24. Prof. Bain, quoted In William James' _Psychology, Briefer 240. 30. Attracting the attention is largely a matter of appealing to 241. 39. M.S. Read, _An Introductory Psychology_, pp. 212-213. William 242. 51. For example, see W.D. Scott's _Increasing Efficiency in 243. 52. R.A. Bray, _Boy Labor and Apprenticeship_, chap. II, especially 244. 53. Wilfred Lewis, _Proceedings of the Congress of Technology_, 245. 56. For value of personality see J.W. Jenks's, _Governmental Action 246. 58. Compare with the old darkey, who took her sons from a Northern 247. 61. Morris Llewellyn Cooke, _Bulletin No. 5_ of _The Carnegie 248. 62. A well known athlete started throwing a ball at his son in 249. 63. Meyer Bloomfield, _The Vocational Guidance of Youth_, Houghton 250. 64. A. Pimloche, _Pestalozzi and the Foundation of the Modern 251. 65. Friedrich Froebel, _Education of Man_, "To secure for this 252. CHAPTER IX 253. 1. fines, which are usually simply a cutting down of wages, 254. 3. assignment to less pleasant or less desirable work. 255. 8. Professional standing. 256. 9. coöperative work 257. 3. industrial coöperation. These are defined and discussed at 258. 5. F.W. Taylor, _Shop Management_, para. 310-311, Harper Ed., 259. 6. See also C.U. Carpenter, _Profit Making in Shop and Factory 260. CHAPTER X 261. 3. physical development. 262. 2. Habits, under Scientific Management, 263. 3. Physical development 264. 1. As for habits we must consider 265. 2. General mental development is provided for by the experience 266. 1. Personal responsibility is developed by 267. 2. Responsibility for others is provided for by the 268. 3. Appreciation of standing is fostered by 269. 4. Self-control is developed by 270. 5. "Squareness." This squareness is exemplified first of all by 271. 1. Contentment is the outgrowth of the personal responsibility, 272. 2. The idea of brotherhood is fostered particularly through the 273. 3. The "will to do" is so fostered by Scientific Management that 274. 1. It will educate the worker to the point where workers will 275. 2. It will aid the cause of Industrial Peace. 276. 6. See remarkable work of Dr. A. Imbert, _Evaluation de la Capacite 277. 7. Clark and Wyatt, Macmillan, pp. 269-270. 278. introduction of new, 137.

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