The Maligned F.W. Taylor: A Reply to His Many Critics

Abstract

In this article the author comes to the defense of the designer of the management science known as Taylorism, Frederick W. Taylor. The author traces Taylor's thinking and discusses the impact that he had on the field and addresses both those who have criticized and praised his theories. He notes that Taylor has been regarded, most notably, as being responsible for laying the foundation on which productivity in the modern economy has been improved. The author discusses the contributions that Taylor made on behalf of the worker outlining his concepts for offering incentives to employees, shortening hours of labor and improving working conditions.