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Manufacturing Ideology: Scientific Management in Twentieth-Century Japan

Ken Follett

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Scientific management is a system of management that emphasizes the use of scientific methods to improve efficiency and productivity. It was developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the late 19th century and early 20th century, and it was quickly adopted by businesses around the world.

Manufacturing Ideology: Scientific Management in Twentieth-Century Japan

by William M. Tsutsui

5 out of 5

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In Japan, scientific management was first introduced in the early 1900s by a group of engineers and industrialists who were eager to modernize the country's economy. They believed that scientific management could help Japan to catch up with the West in terms of industrial development.

The Japanese government also supported the adoption of scientific management. In 1919, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry established the Institute for Industrial Management, which was tasked with promoting the use of scientific management in Japanese businesses.

As a result of these efforts, scientific management became widespread in Japan after World War II. It was adopted by a wide range of businesses, from large corporations to small family-owned businesses.

Scientific management had a profound impact on Japanese society and economy. It helped to increase productivity, improve quality, and reduce costs. It also contributed to the development of a new class of professional managers.

However, scientific management also had some negative consequences. It led to the intensification of labor, the alienation of workers, and the decline of traditional crafts.

In the postwar period, scientific management was increasingly challenged by new management theories, such as human relations and total quality management. However, it remains an important part of the Japanese management system.

The History of Scientific Management in Japan

The history of scientific management in Japan can be divided into three periods:

The of scientific management (1900-1919)
The spread of scientific management (1920-1945)
The postwar period (1945-present)

The of scientific management (1900-1919)

The first Japanese engineers and industrialists to study scientific management were sent to the United States in the early 1900s. They were impressed by what they saw and they returned to Japan determined to introduce scientific management in their own businesses.

In 1911, the first book on scientific management was published in Japan. The book, entitled "Scientific Management," was written by Yoichi Ueno, a Japanese engineer who had studied under Frederick Winslow Taylor.

The publication of Ueno's book sparked a great deal of interest in scientific management in Japan. In 1913, the Japanese Society of Mechanical Engineers established a committee to study scientific management.

The spread of scientific management (1920-1945)

During the 1920s and 1930s, scientific management spread rapidly in Japan. It was adopted by a wide range of businesses, from large corporations to small family-owned businesses.

As a result of these efforts, scientific management became widespread in Japan by the end of World War II.

The postwar period (1945-present)

In the postwar period, scientific management was increasingly challenged by new management theories, such as human relations and total quality management.

However, scientific management remains an important part of the Japanese management system. It is still used by many Japanese businesses to improve productivity, quality, and costs.

The Impact of Scientific Management on Japanese Society and Economy

Scientific management had a profound impact on Japanese society and economy. It helped to increase productivity, improve quality, and reduce costs.

Scientific management also contributed to the development of a new class of professional managers. These managers were trained in the principles of scientific management and they were responsible for implementing scientific management programs in their businesses.

However, scientific management also had some negative consequences. It led to the intensification of labor, the alienation of workers, and the decline of traditional crafts.

In the postwar period, scientific management was increasingly criticized for its negative consequences. However, it remains an important part of the Japanese management system.

Scientific management is a powerful ideology that has shaped Japanese society and economy in profound ways. It has helped to increase productivity, improve quality, and reduce costs. It has also contributed to the development of a new class of professional managers.

However, scientific management also has some negative consequences. It can lead to the intensification of labor, the alienation of workers, and the decline of traditional crafts.

In the postwar period, scientific management has been increasingly challenged by new management theories, such as human relations and total quality management. However, it remains an important part of the Japanese management system.

Manufacturing Ideology: Scientific Management in Twentieth-Century Japan

by William M. Tsutsui

5 out of 5