The Centennial of Frederick W. Taylor's The Principles of Scientific Management: A Retrospective Commentary

Abstract

The centennial of The Principles of Scientific Management (PSM) provides an opportunity to reflect on Frederick W. Taylor’s best known work. Taylor remains at the top of the list of those who have contributed to the history of management thought and PSM is considered the most influential management book of the 20th century. Those first attracted to the writings of Taylor were engineers who had seen his experiments and publications appear in the transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, who had read his first book, Shop Management. The events leading to the appearance of PSM are much lesser known and will be examined to aid in explaining how Taylor's preferred term for his work, task management, became scientific management. Finally, how scientific management became an international force, stimulating thought and development in numerous countries beyond the U.S will be discussed.

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