Scientific Management and Internet: Before the 1920s and After 1920s - Essay Example

?Emergence of two technologies- one before 1920s and second after 1920s Introduction: The modern day progress and development that has been achieved in different fields is a result of developments that took place over period of time. These developments can be divided into different phases. The beginning of 20th century is marked by remarkable development in terms of various movements that came to forth for the purpose of social, industrial and economic development. Henry Ford and Frederick Taylor are two of the pioneers that stand a notable ground with regard to the developments (Entrekin & Scott-Ladd, 2013, 6). Their efforts are based upon the contributions in the field of industry and sciences before 1920s. It is broadly characterized as scientific management principles and application in industrial domain. The development of computers in a phase wise manner from the days of Steve Jobs and IBM to present day open source operating systems and spread of internet in the form of World Wide Web is a technological achievement made possible in the last part of previous decade. Thesis statement: Each of these developments (Scientific Management and Internet) has had economic, social, technological, cultural and developmental impact. This paper looks into the multifaceted contribution by each of these in their own capacity and own spectrum. Scientific Management: While the Industrial revolution had given the field of development and manufacturing a new dimension, additional development and performance improvement was yet to be achieved and there were considerable margins for development in that zone. The improvement of the working procedures and personnel performance was an area that was yet to be harmonized with the industrial developments made in previous century. Bridging the gap between the man power, their abilities, machine and processes made up for a new domain of study and research. The principles of Scientific Management undertook this as an exploration of new methods and mechanisms for further enhancing the potential of growth and capacity amongst the workers and within the industries. This summarizes the purpose and motto of Scientific Management. Frederick Winslow Taylor: Many other proponents of improvement and development along with machine manufacturing companies aimed at bringing the two fields together. The First to achieve a breakthrough was Frederick Winslow Taylor who came up with a novel idea that would make up for the benchmark and standardized pattern of manufacturing industry principles essential for success. He along with his team of experts from the field of their respective specialization are clearly accorded as the honors of having achieved the breakthrough and come up with something concrete against something that was long considered and fancied for in terms of progress and better utilization of technology (SAPRU, 2013, 110). Target industries and domains: Under the principle and concepts of Scientific Management, manufacturing industries fell directly under the target of improvements and the potential that was present for capitalization. Making use of the energies resources, capital, machinery, employees all this was sought and a general realization existed that advocated the integration of management on scientific basis and industrial processes for creation of a synergetic effect within. The team performed intensive investigations aimed at identifying the areas of potential improvement and areas of negligence that had yet to be explored and were lacking for development on account of lack of attention and work performed in the given domain. As a result of the extensive research and review Frederick Winslow Taylor came up with “The Principles of Scientific Management” that had the best recipe of increasing productivity, integrating different domains and increasing the working patterns of employees as well. The novelty of piece of work was the fact that for the first time the social impact was touched upon in the entire scheme of research and for the first time the betterment of the working conditions of the labors and other ground level staff was addressed. Along with the improvement and productivity factor, the social dimension made this theory and work more applaud able in amongst the common man and the lower ranked staff and working class citizens (Kumar & Sharma, 2001, 749). Interaction and collaboration of ideas, views and resources was introduced for the first time. This was the first time when a suggestion was made for bringing closer top management with the lower ranked staff and bridging them through the presence of middle management. Standardization of methods, techniques and procedures was advocated and introduced which allowed for uniform operations and relief on account of the working class labors that were greatly subject to ambiguity of command and control previously. The guidelines so set forth were not limited in their direction. They addressed the concerns and ideas of both the employees as well as the top management. It provided new ways of developing potential for productivity. Assembly line processing: Assembly line manufacturing was one of the salient features of the scientific management and the movements that took place in that era. Henry Ford is considered as the pioneer who gave this novel idea (Lehto & Landry, 2012, 29). The benefits of assembly line were multifold. Ranging from productivity, ease of work, to safety of the workers. The principles of Assembly line entailed gathering of the similar items in one area of the manufacturing plant, along with the automated usage of machinery for the manufacturing processes. This not only reduced the production time but also benefited the location and warehouse movement factors. This brought about specialization of task and a certain segment of the production plant would consist of specialists working on one particular part. This in turn allowed for improved outputs, satisfaction amongst the workers and other benefits and safety consideration. Since then the term and concept became a model and benchmark and was being followed outside America and in other industries across the world. Hence Assembly line manufacturing made up for an essential part of the scientific management process that had been initiated in the late 19th and early 20th century. Soldering to automation and reward system: The concept also took into account the factor for individual ability and the work place requirements and conditions availability. The psychological factor of repetition and its negative impact on productivity was also studied and assessed in the scientific management principle doctrine. Advocating the labor rights, protecting them from any causality in the work place, and providing them and their families with insurances and safety was part of the scientific management concept. Computer and Internet as dominant force in the last part of 20th century: The term computer was little imagined and hardly heard of during the days of scientific management. However in the post World War Two scenario and environment first traces of computer came to forth. The pace with which it progressed never looked back and by 1980s computer was a domestic affair. although slow in speed and reduced in capacity, yet it was the foundation direction towards the modern day computers that we have around us. The present standing of computers come in form of pocket sized gadgets and tablets that are multiple times more powerful, fasters and facilitating than the mainframes computers of old times that would occupy the space as much as whole of a room. The late part of 20th century saw development of computer world and its associated concepts and terms. The usage of internet was one of them. In the earlier phases usage of internet was limited to scientific research methods, space shuttle programs, and government research and record keeping purposes. However in the post 1985 and initial 1990s days internet’s spread saw an impetus on magnanimous proportions. The presence and usage of internet came about as a revolution in the field of digital technologies. All around us what we see is the gift of technology and internet. Internet has become an integral part of our offices, parks, business centers, government enterprises, recreational centers, entertainment hubs, transportation means, nay they are present in every corner and every center of the social sector. The impact of internet on the social domain is multi fold. It has enabled creation of jobs, opportunities and increased means and measures of productivity. The livelihood of millions of people is associated with the usage, presence and facilitation of internet. E-government: The concept of E- Government is a gift of technology. It is one of the new means of reaching out to the masses and making sure they find a medium and source of contact and connect with their representatives and government. It is the enactment of Information and Communication Technology for the purpose of better governance and making sure that the government agencies is present for response on full time basis. With introduction of tools such as e governance, little reliance is needed on the conventional modes of reaching out to the government and state agencies and waiting for days and weeks before the problems are addressed and reached at for resolution. The social aspect of e governance is the large amount of job opportunities as a result of usage of technology in the government sectors. This is facilitated through the usage of softwares, hardwares, training and skill development programs and overall induction of the human resource management domain which increases the per capita income and benefits the economy in a direct manner. Hence internet has emerged as a source of providing jobs to the masses and thereby is being used by the governments in multiple ways. Internet in personal capacity: Apart from the usage of technology for commercial and government uses, the usage of internet in personal frame and spectrum has changed the dimensions in which operations are being performed. The concept of virtualization has given a new dimension to the usage of technology and performing businesses, exchanges and other activities of life. The video conferencing tool facilitates the common man as well as the enterprises in multiple ways. The video conferencing aid is largely used by businesses saving them the burden of traveling, and other communication obstacles and expanses that would otherwise be spent in facilitating the physical world interactions and activities. Usage by the students for various activities such as online degree courses, distant learning, all is being facilitated by the computer and internet. This along with the usage of computer and internet in the metros, aero planes defines the developments made in less than three decades. Information systems are nearly part of all the multinational organizations that operate on world scale. The supply chains enacted, their businesses are facilitated through the information system mechanism. The Information system allows accountability and transparency of processes. Electronic means of government control come as another usage and facilitation of technology by the government in ensuring good governance and countering crime and other activities. Cyber laws and ensuring check on the IP addresses as well as other modes of online traffic on the medium of internet makes up for the electronic means and controls by the government. Business information systems: Business information systems can be termed as a similar concept to the Scientific Management principle that was incorporated in the first half of 20th century. The aim is to bring about more positives from the technological presence and foster new ways for improved productivity. Virtualization: A trend in fancy enables faster means of operations, little reliance on data backup and improved means of security. Virtual servers and Virtual Private Networks are a gift of internet and technology that directly benefit businesses. All the major banks across the globe incorporate the usage of V.P.Ns in their networks for secure operations is an example of internet being used to good effect (Ballad & Banks, 2010, 284). Conclusion: The two developments have changed the outlook of activities. The scientific management can be termed as the foundation step and internet as the concrete source for overall progress. The performances of the different enterprises, government organization and educational sectors would come to a halt without the presence or disruption of computer and associated technologies even for a few minutes. Hence it can be established that the computer and internet has become the unavoidable force and further progress is assured in times ahead which would further improve the living standards and allow for better economic conditions. References: Entrekin, L. & Scott-Ladd, B. D., 2013. Human Resource Management: A Practical Manager Guide. 1st ed. s.l.:Routledge. Kumar, A. & Sharma, R., 2001. Personnel Management Theory And Practice. s.l.:Atlantic Publishers & Distri. Lehto, M. R. & Landry, S. J., 2012. Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics for Engineers. 2nd ed. s.l.:CRC Press. SAPRU, R. K., 2013. ADMINISTRATIVE THEORIES AND MANAGEMENT THOUGHT. s.l.:PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. Read More