Discuss the following techniques of scientific work study
(a) Time study
(b) Motion study
(c) Fatigue study
(d) Method study
(e) Simplification and standardisation of work
Some of the techniques of scientific work study are
(a) Time Study It determines the standard time taken to perform a well-defined job. The standard time is fixed for the whole of the task by taking several readings. The method of time study will depend upon volume and frequency of the task, the cycle time of the operation and time measurement costs. There are three objectives achieved through time study.
(i) Determine the number of workers.
(ii) Frame suitable incentive schemes.
(iii) Determines labour costs.
e.g., if standard time taken to do a piece of work in 20 minutes then one work can be done 3 times in an hour and total 21 times (3×7 hours per day) the work can be done on a single day.
(b) Motion Study Motion study refers to the study of movements like lifting, putting objects, sitting and changing positions. On close examination of body motions, e.g., it is possible to find out three types motions
(i) Motions which are productive.
(ii) Motions which are incidental.
(iii) Motions which are unproductive.
Out of the above, three workers were motivated to eliminate the third type completely and reduce the second one to the minimum. This help in increasing productivity.
(c) Fatigue Study Fatigue study seeks to determine the amount and frequency of rest intervals in completing a task. A person is bound to feel tired physically and mentally if he does not take rest while working. The next intervals will heip one to regain stamina and work again with the same efficiency for e.g., in an organisaton working hours are 9 to 5. There is a lunch break of an hour for the workers to take rest similarly in a school there is a break for the students and teachers after 4 periods of continuous learning.
(d) Method Study The objective of method study is to find out one best way of doing the job. Different managers would use their own different methods of getting the work done. But there is always one best method. Right from procurement of raw materials till the final product is delivered to the customer every activity is the part of method study. The objective of whole exercise is to minimise the cost of production and maximise the satisfaction of the customer.
(e) Simplification and Standardisation of Work Standardisation refers to the process of setting standards for every business activity e.g., process, raw material, time, product, machinery, methods or working conditions. The objective of standardisation are
(i) To reduce product to fixed types, sizes, features etc.
(ii) To establish interchangeability of various parts.
(iii) To establish standards of excellence and quality in materials.
(iv) To establish standards of performance of men and machines.
Simplification aims at eliminating unnecessary diversity of products. It results in savings of cost of labour, machines and tools. It implies reduced inventories, fuller utilisation of equipment and increasing turnover.
Which principle of management states that an employee should receive orders from one superior only? (Delhi 2010c)
Explain the following principles of management:
Explain the following principles of Fayol with the help of one example of each.
Name and explain the principle of management according to which a manager should replace ‘I’ with ‘We’ in all his conversation with workers? (HOTS; Delhi 2013)
What precautions should the company undertake to implement the changes?
Give your answer with regard to each technique separately as enunciated in points 1 through 6 in the case problem.
If an organisation does not provide the right place for physical and human resources in an organisation, which principle is violated? What are the consequences of it?
Which principle of management is violated, if a subordinate is asked to receive orders from two or more superiors? (HOTS; Delhi 2008C)
Which principle of management implies that there should be ‘one head and one plan’ for a group of activities having the same objective?
(All India 2010)
Name and explain the principle of management in which workers should be encouraged to develop and carry out their plans for improvement in the organisation. (HOTS; Delhi 2010c)
What steps should the company management take in relation to the above principles to restore the company to its past glory?
Explain the following principles of Fayol with the help of one example for each
Explain any two of the following Fayol’s principles of management with examples
(i) Unity of direction (ii) Equity
(iii) Esprit de corps (iv) Initiative(All India 2008; Delhi 2008C)
Discuss the following techniques of scientific work study
(a) Time study
(b) Motion study
(c) Fatigue study
(d) Method study
(e) Simplification and standardisation of work
Why did Fayol introduce the concept of ‘gang plank’ in the principle of ‘scalar Chain’? (All India 2009)
Discuss the relevance of Taylor and Fayol’s contribution in the contemporary business environment.
Explain the following principles of management given by Fayol with examples.
(a) Unity of direction
(b) Equity
(c) Espirit de Corps
(d) Order
(e) Centralisation and decentralisation
(f) Initiative
Explain the technique of ‘Functional Foremanship’ and the concept of ‘Mental Revolution’ as enunciated by Taylor.
Name and explain the principle of management which requires judicious application of penalties by the management.
(HOTS; All India 2010; Delhi 2010)
Nikita and Salman completed their MBA and started working in a multi-national company at the same level. Both are working hard and are happy with their employers. Salman had the habit of backbiting and wrong reporting about his colleagues to impress his boss. All the employees in the organisation knew about it. At the time of performance appraisal, the performance of Nikita was judged better than Salman.
Even then their boss, Mohammad Sharif decided to promote Salman stating that being a female, Nikita will not be able to handle the complications of a higher post.
(i) Identify and explain the principle of management, which was not followed by this multi-national company.
(ii) Identify the values, which are being ignored quoting the lines from the above para. (VBQ; All India 2013)
Explain the tallowing principles of Fayol with the help of one example for each:
Voltech India Lid is manufacturing LED bulbs to save electricity and running under heavy losses. To revive from the losses, the management thought of shifting the unit to a backward area where labour is available at a low cost. The management also asked the workers to work overtime without any additional payment and promised to increase the wages of the workers after achieving its mission. Within a short period the company started earning profits because both the management and the workers honoured their commitments. (Compartment 2014)
Telco Ltd is manufacturing files and folders from the old clothes to discourage use of plastic files and folders. For this, they employ people from nearby villages where very less job opportunities are available. An employee, Harish, designed a plan for the cost reduction but it was not welcomed by the production manager. Another employee gave some suggestion for improvement in design, but it was also not appreciated by the production manager.