SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT

Executive Summary

A change in the management information systems in the organization needs to be reviewed for improved performance and proper decision-making within the company. The disorganization in the company leads to poor decision-making and the loss of money and time. The poor decisions made affect the company’s performance and also put the company at the bottom when it comes to competitiveness among its competitors.

Scientific management is considered a managing science that entails decision-making. In order to achieve a particular objective, scientific management utilizes what is convenient and also tries to envisage what is not controllable or convenient. The methodology adopted in this research is empirical research. Through this method, a researcher acquires the knowledge and information needed through direct or indirect understanding. The research revealed that management information systems are a process in which managers plan, organize, control and initiate operations within a business. The systems used in an organization ensure the efficiency of the large systems within the organization for maximum performance. The management information systems used in an organization vary from one organization to another. The variation is dependent on the nature of the organizational operations, organizational priorities, size of business and other salient factors. Management information systems are interdependent. An organization’s success is usually determined by decision-making. The recommendations issued after the research are that an organization should have a properly integrated Management Information System that helps the decision-making of an organization as information relies on time and is accurate for efficient decision-making

Introduction

Scientific management is coined as the science of administration and usually employs decision-making. Scientific management utilizes both what is controllable and uncontrollable. With regard to uncontrollable issues, it utilizes the method of prediction as long as the objective is met. Scientific management adopts critical techniques to come up with solutions for areas in inventory management and production. The paper will look into scientific management and management information systems and how a company incorporates them to improve decision-making and general performance.

Results/Discussion

There are two main modelling techniques that are commonly used: linear programming and probabilistic techniques. Linear programming problems involve a cost function/objective function that has to be either maximized or minimized subject to a particular number of limitations. The objective function includes a particular number of variables. The limitations are the linear disparities of the variables that are used in the cost function. This technique uses disparities in the problem statement and not equalities. A linear programming setback can be categorized into unbounded, an optimal solution and an infeasible problem.

Another modelling approach that is used in problem-solving is the probabilistic technique. This technique is based on the application of statistics for the probability of irrepressible situations and in risk assessment decisions. Probability assessment involves studying the outcomes of a particular decision alongside their probabilities. The probability evaluation tries to fill the gap between the known and the unknown that needs to be known for an optimal resolution to the problem. Probabilistic forms are used to hinder events happening due to uncertainty.

In what context/time period was/has it been implemented?

Ideas linked to the formal management of the business can be traced to as early as the 18th century. The management ideas were dormant for 2 centuries before it started undergoing some form of transformation. Most management practices, such as scientific management, should be credited to scholars of this era. This era was made up of scholars who strived to comprehend the successful conduct of businesses better. One such scholar in this field was Frederick Winslow Taylor, the founding father of scientific management.

They studied how work was performed, and they looked at how this affected worker productivity. Taylor’s philosophy focused on the belief that making people work as hard as they could was not as efficient as optimizing the way the work was done.

A description of the theory

Scientific management is considered a managing science that entails decision-making. In order to achieve a particular objective, scientific management utilizes what is convenient and also tries to envisage what is not controllable or convenient. Management information systems is a process in which managers plan, organize, control and initiate operations within a business. The systems used in an organization ensure the efficiency of the large systems within the organization for maximum performance. The management information systems used in an organization vary from one organization to another. The variation is dependent on the nature of the organizational operations, organizational priorities, size of business and other salient factors. Management information systems are interdependent. An organizations success is usually determined by the decisions making. Having a properly integrated Management Information System helps the decision-making of an organization as information relies on time and is accurate for efficient decision-making.

Key principles

Scientific management uses principles of managerial economics as an approach to various business situations. The managerial approach involves statistical tools like pricing analysis, budgeting, regression analysis, and risk analysis, among other tools, to determine the best opportunities a company should use when making business decisions (Albright & Winston 2009). In scientific management, the modelling of the problem is the most crucial part of decision-making as it will determine the technique that can be used in solving the problem.

What are the key theorists writing in this field?

Key literature

When an organization uses scientific management productivity increases as jobs have been optimized and simplified. The founding father of scientific management one Mr. Taylor stated that for the use of scientific management to be successful in an organization, both the administration and the employees have to cooperate. Motivation should be used in the organization to motivate employees for any good work that has been done toward achieving the company’s goals.

What theories or practices have countered this?

Among the theories or practices for scientific management, Taylorism is one. The Taylorism theory states that there is only one right way to do something. This approach is at odds with current approaches of scientific management. Management by objectives and continuous improvement initiatives promote individual responsibility and seek to encourage decision-making through all levels of management. These approaches hold the idea that employees are given as much self-sufficiency as possible to use approaches that would be appropriate for the situation at hand.

Case scenario

In the case of Sony, redesigning the organizational structure would help in making the required change. The redesigning of the organization should be in such a way that the decision-makers have the relevant information easily and on time for an easy and quick decision-making process. General knowledge that is required for the decision needs an MIS solution as its transfer is at a low price. A change in information costs or systems requires a change in the organizational structure.

Critiques of this theory

The Taylorism approach was efficient and successful, but at some point, it would lead to failure in an organization. The theory does not give room an organization to explore all possible solutions or approaches to a situation as it states that there is only one right way of doing something. The practice of taylorism is rigid therefore does not allow room for change in the organization.

According to one critique Gaurav Akrani in relation to the current practice, taylorism is not a better theory to use as it is in opposition to teamwork. Taylorism divides work into tiny steps and places focus on how an individual would work best. when compared to modern theories, that promote team work and creating a satisfying work place for the employees, taylorism does not encourage providing a motivating and satiating workplace.

Conclusion

The scientific management modeling stage helps an organization improve operations in the organization through the use of the development of specialized techniques and scientific methods. This involves the research process to find an optimal solution for an existing setback. Scientific management modelling presents a methodical analysis and the common approaches to a problem for decision-making despite the nature of the product, service or system. The models aim to support the decision maker in making a decision and, to a large extent, impact the operations of the HRM department in an organization.

Recommendations

An organizations success is usually determined by the decisions making. An organization should have a proper integrated Management Information System which helps the decision making of an organization as information is relied on time and it is accurate for efficient decision making.

Reference

ALBRIGHT, S. C., & WINSTON, W. L. (2009). Scientific management modelling. Mason, Ohio, South-Western.

Frequently Asked Questions