Difference Between Fayol and Taylor’s Theories of Management

Henry Fayol is a French Mining Engineer, who developed the concept of general theory of administration and given 14 principles of management. On the other hand, F.W. Taylor is an American Mechanical Engineer, who advanced the concept of Scientific Management and given 4 Principles of Management.

Management is viewed as the process in which the responsible members of the organization get the work done through and with others. Principles of Management are the guidelines that govern the decision making and behaviour in an organization. There are various theories of management which are put forth by a number of management thinkers. Two such management thinkers are Henry Fayol and Fredrick Winslow Taylor (F.W. Taylor).

In this article, you can find out the difference between Fayol and Taylor theory of management.

Content: Henry Fayol’s Theory Vs F.W. Taylor’s Theory

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Henry Fayol	F.W. Taylor
Meaning	Henry Fayol, is a father of modern management who laid down fourteen principles of management, for improving overall administration.	F.W. Taylor, is a father of scientific management who introduced four principles of management, for increasing overall productivity.
Concept	General theory of administration	Scientific Management
Emphasis	Top level management	Low level management
Applicability	Universally applicable	Applies to specialized organizations only.
Basis of formation	Personal Experience	Observation and Experimentation
Orientation	Managerial function	Production and Engineering
System of Wage Payment	Sharing of profit with managers.	Differential Payment System
Approach	Manager's approach	Engineer's approach

Definition of Henry Fayol’s Theory of Management

Henry Fayol, renowned as ‘father of modern management theory’, as he introduced comprehensive thinking on management philosophy. He put forward general management theory that applies to every organization equally and in every field. The principles of management laid down by Fayol are used by managers to coordinate the internal activities of the company.

To put into practice, the three components, i.e. division and classification of industrial activities, analysis of management and formulation of principles of management, Fayol promulgated fourteen principles of management, which are listed below:

• Division of Work: Work is divided into small tasks or jobs, which results in specialization.
• Authority and Responsibility: Authority implies the right to give the command and obtain obedience and responsibility is the sense of dutifulness, that arises out of authority.
• Discipline: Discipline refers to obedience to organizational rules and the terms of employment. It is to ensure compliance and respect for seniors.
• Unity of Command: An employee will receive orders from one boss only.
• Unity of Direction: All the organizational units should work for the same objectives through coordinated efforts.
• Subordination: Individual or group interest are sacrificed or surrendered for general interest.
• Remuneration: Fair and satisfactory payment for both employer and employee.
• Centralization: There must be the optimum utilization of organization’s resources.
• Scalar Chain: Scalar chain implies the superior-subordinate relation, within the organization.
• Order: In an organization, there must be a proper place for every thing as well as each thing must be in its appointed place.
• Equity: Sense of equity should exist at all the levels of the organization.
• Stability of tenure of Personnel: Efforts are to be made to reduce employee turnover.
• Initiative: It implies thinking out and implementation of the plan.
• Esprit de Corps: It stresses on the need of team work in the organization.

Video: 14 Principles of Management

Definition of F.W. Taylor’s Theory of Management

Fredrick Winslow Taylor, or F.W. Taylor popularly known as ‘father of scientific management’ who with the help of experiments proved that scientific methodology could be applied to management. A scientific process comprises of observations, experiments, analysis and inferences, which Taylor wants to apply in management to develop a cause and effect relationship.

Taylor’s primary concern was management at the supervisory level and gave much stress on the efficiency of workers and managers at an operational level. Scientific Management is just a mental revolution for both employer and employees, which consist of the following principles:

• Science, not the rule of thumb: To improve the performance level, the rule of thumb is replaced by science.
• Harmony, not discord: There must be a coordination of the activities of the employees and not discord.
• Cooperation, not individualism: There should be an environment of cooperation in the organization, of mutual interest.
• Development of every person to his greatest efficiency: Motivation is to be provided to greatest efficiency to every member of the organization.

Video: Principles of Scientific Management

Conclusion

Both the management thinkers have an immense contribution in the field of management, which is not contradictory but complementary in nature. While Henry Fayol is an ardent proponent of the unity of command, F.W. Taylor is of the opinion that it is not substantial that under functional foremanship, an employee receives orders from multiple bosses.