Question

The workers in Alpha manufacturing company were using traditional methods for production of metal parts. Since no standard procedure existed, workers relied on personal experience and guess work. As a result, productivity in the assembly line began to decline.

To improve productivity, the company hired a consultant specializing in scientific management. The consultant explained that there was only one best method to maximize efficiency and this method could be developed through proper study and analysis. He emphasized that the scientific method should replace the old method, that the workers were using.

So, to develop the scientific method, the consultant carefully investigated the traditional methods through work-study and by unifying the best practices, he developed a standard method that would be followed by everyone in the organization.

After applying scientific method, there was a three fold increase in productivity within six months.

The principle of scientific management which helped the company in increasing the productivity was :

• A. Science, not Rule of Thumb
• B. Harmony, Not Discord
• C. Cooperation, Not Individualism
• D. Development of Each and Every Person to His or Her Greatest Efficiency and Prosperity

Hint:

The case replaces guess work with a standard method found by study. This is the principle of Science, not Rule of Thumb.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understand the concept:
F.W. Taylor gave four principles of scientific management. They are science not rule of thumb, harmony not discord, cooperation not individualism, and development of each person to his or her greatest efficiency and prosperity.
The question asks which one of these four helped Alpha company to raise its productivity.

Step 2: Pick out the clues in the case:
Workers used old methods, had no standard procedure and relied on personal experience and guess work. This is rule of thumb.
The consultant said there is only one best method and it can be found by study and analysis. He wanted the scientific method to replace the old method.
He used work-study and combined the best practices to build one standard method for everyone.

Step 3: Link the clues to the principle:
Replacing guess work with a method found by investigation is exactly what the principle of Science, not Rule of Thumb says.
It asks the manager to study each job with facts and tests, and then set one best way of doing it.
Productivity rose three times in six months because the standard method removed waste and guess work.

Step 4: Check option (1): Science, not Rule of Thumb:
This matches the case fully. Old rule of thumb methods were replaced by a standard method built through study. So option (1) is correct.

Step 5: Check option (2): Harmony, Not Discord:
This principle is about good relations between management and workers. The case does not mention any conflict between them. So option (2) is wrong.

Step 6: Check option (3): Cooperation, Not Individualism:
This principle wants management and workers to cooperate and avoid working alone. The case talks about method, not about teamwork. So option (3) is wrong.

Step 7: Check option (4): Development of Each and Every Person:
This principle is about selecting and training workers for their greatest efficiency. The case does not talk about selection or training. So option (4) is wrong.

Final Answer:
The principle that raised productivity in Alpha company is Science, not Rule of Thumb. This is option (1).