Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering was at the heart of Taylor's theorizing, providing the context for its development, the world view by which it was sustained, and, finally, the justification for its widespread application. Scientific management aimed to analyze and control the activities of people in the same way that engineers analyzed and controlled machines. Central to Taylor's system was the desire to rationalize and standardize production techniques in the interests of economy, efficiency, and mutual prosperity. His primary point of interest was the individual worker pursuing individual goals and motivated by incentive payments. Undoubtedly Taylor's view of human motivation was somewhat simplistic and his apprehension of the significance of groups was limited and generally negative.