Subject
Industrial management Books
Best books
Frederick Winslow Taylor
The Principles of Scientific Management
"The Principles of Scientific Management" by Frederick Winslow Taylor is a monograph published in 1911. Taylor presents his vision for transforming industrial work through systematic principles rather than relying on individual workers' methods. He argues that maximum prosperity for both employers and employees can be achieved through scientific analysis of work tasks, proper training, and cooperation. Taylor identifies why workers deliberately slow down and proposes replacing traditional "rule-of-thumb" approaches with measured, efficient methods based on time and motion studies.
Lillian Moller Gilbreth
The Psychology of Management The Function of the Mind in Determining, Teaching and Installing Methods of Least Waste
"The Psychology of Management" by Lillian Moller Gilbreth is a book published in 1914 that investigates the psychological aspects of scientific management. Gilbreth argues for incorporating the "human element" into management principles, emphasizing workers as individuals with personalities rather than merely economic units. Originally her unpublished doctoral dissertation, the work challenged prevailing management theories by bringing together fundamental elements including individual behavior, group theory, communication, and rational decision-making—establishing it as a pioneering contribution to industrial psychology.
Walter Dill Scott
Increasing Human Efficiency in Business A Contribution to the Psychology of Business
"Increasing Human Efficiency in Business" by Walter Dill Scott is a scientific publication written during the early 20th century. The book explores the concept of human efficiency within the business environment, emphasizing the need to elevate individual and collective performance to match advancements in machinery and production methods. Scott argues that while technological progress has been immense, the human element in the workforce remains underdeveloped and holds significant potential for improvement. At the start of this work, Scott sets the stage by discussing the dramatic transformations in business methods and tools, acknowledging that although production techniques have vastly improved, human efficiency has not kept pace. He delves into the psychological aspects that influence human performance, stating that understanding these factors is crucial to maximizing productivity. The initial chapter lays down the premise that individual workers can vastly outperform an average output level when properly motivated and trained, using the insights of psychology to suggest that enhancing human efficiency could revolutionize business practices. He hints at the methodologies and strategies that will be discussed in subsequent chapters to harness and improve this efficiency.
Recently surfaced classics