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IntroductionNestled between the knowns of yesterday and the unknowns of tomorrow, the present is the twilight of the ever impending next era of history. It is with this knowledge that on the 100th anniversary of Frederick W. (1911) publication of The Principles of Scientific Management we pause and reflect on his contributions. is revered as the Father of Scientific Management, and various authors (Payne, Youngcourt, & Watrous, 2006; Wrege & Greenwood, 1991; Wren, 2005) indicate that this designation is engraved on his tombstone. Management historians acknowledge contributions and his impact on management theory. For example, Wren (1994:131) suggests that Taylor provided the polestar (i.e., the guiding light) to a significant era in the evolution of management thought.This article discusses contributions in terms of industrial efficiencies and work measurement, standardization, delineation and management of tasks and the piecework concept, and organizational behavior. It also provides an analysis of the positive and negative impact of theories as suggested by various authors. In addition, in order to further substantiate the relevance and validity of contributions, they are compared with those of Gilbreth, Cook, Gantt, Fayol and a number of other Management theorists and practitioners. Finally, we analyze the current relevance of theoretical and practical contributions and make recommendations for their use.Taylor's ContributionsTaylor's thoughts and principles were best revealed in his lectures and books, Shop Management, (1903) and The Principles of Scientific Management (191 1). However, neither contained a concise definition of Scientific Management. Nyland (1996: 986) indicates that approved the following summary and definition of Scientific Management which was prepared by Hoxie (1915) shortly before death:Scientific management is a system devised by industrial engineers for the purpose of serving the common interests of employers, workmen and society at large through the elimination of avoidable wastes, the general improvement of the processes and methods of production, and the just and scientific distribution of the product (Hoxie, 1915:140).Taylor (1903, 1911) developed his shop management system partly because he observed soldiering (i.e. workers involved in intentional slacking). Also, his system was in response to organizational problems, inefficiencies and adverse employer-employee relations. philosophies and theories were based on the scientific approach to management and managerial decision making, i.e. data based on research and experimentation. While (1903, 191 1) theories are acknowledged as being management theories, he worked for the interests of both management and labor. Locke (1982: 15) said that there were virtually no strikes in plants in which (Taylor) applied scientific management, the principles of which are described by (1903, 1911). management theories, concepts, and philosophies continue to be debated in the literature, but his contributions are accepted by many scholars (e.g., Bedeian, 1998; Wren, 1994, 2005) as being an integral part of the foundation of modem management.Taylor's (1903, 191 1) ideas have had profound impact as a result of his two main texts on the scientific organization of work, i.e., Shop Management and The Principles of Scientific Management (Cossette, 2002; Payne, Youngcourt, & Watrous, 2006; Wren, 1994). (191 1: 140) used his books to advocate his scientific management philosophy which is based on over rule of thumb; harmony, not discord; cooperation, not individualism; maximum output, in place of restricted output; and the development of each man to his greatest efficiency and prosperity.Scientific management influenced society in many ways and impacted numerous fields. For example, Flynn (1998a: 23) suggests that Taylor's systems introduced quantitative methods: the science in scientific management and the foundation of industrial engineering. …
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