3. Rational work design

Question 1

Frederick Taylor

Answer 1

One of the prominent pioneers of efficient rational work design, Taylor developed the system of ‘scientific management’

Question 2

Henry Ford

Answer 2

Created systems of mass automobile production with the moving assembly line

Question 3

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth

Answer 3

Known for developing the time and motion study and ergonomic work design

Question 4

Karl Marx

Answer 4

A philosopher who commented on the inequalities of power between capital and workers and the alienating effects of capitalist work upon workers

Question 5

Harry Braverman

Answer 5

Developed the deskilling thesis that criticised the loss of craft skills under rational production methods

Question 6

Rational work design

Answer 6

The techniques developed by Taylor and Ford, work is designed to achieve maximum efficiency

Question 7

Capitalist working relationship

Answer 7

The relationship between capitalists who pay wages and labour who work for those wages

Question 8

Scientific management

Answer 8

Work is broken down into small tasks which are designed to be performed in the most efficient manner possible

Question 9

Fordism

Answer 9

The worker remains stationary in front of a moving assembly line and repeats the same task

Question 10

Deskilling

Answer 10

Braverman (1974), the loss of craft skills when workers jobs are simplified

Question 11

Efficiency

Answer 11

Getting more output from the same amount of input

Question 12

Alienation

Answer 12

Negative impact of rational work design, isolating them from their skills, the final product and their coworkers

Question 13

Division of labour

Answer 13

Breaking down a job into simple individual tasks

Question 14

Economies of scale

Answer 14

Cost reduction from producing a product in large amounts

Question 15

Craft knowledge

Answer 15

Knowledge of a particular skill, the result of a long period of training

Question 16

Soldiering

Answer 16

Workers creating time for themselves during the working day, not efficient

Question 17

One best way

Answer 17

Techniques that propose the one most efficient way to perform any task

Question 18

Time and motion study

Answer 18

Tasks are measured and timed and redesigned to maximise efficiency

Question 19

Ergonomics

Answer 19

The design of workplace environments and tools to but fit the movements of the human body

Question 20

Separation of planning and doing

Answer 20

Tasks designed by management, with workers having no input other than to perform those tasks

Question 21

Mass production

Answer 21

The production of a large volume, often making use of an assembly line

Question 22

Collective action

Answer 22

Any form of resistance against management taken by a group of workers