Explain the technique of functional foremanship and the concept of ‘mental revolution’ as enunciated by Taylor.
- Functional Foremanship : It is an extension of principle of division of labour, resulting in specialisation. According to Taylor, a single worker or supervisor cannot be expected to be an expert in all aspects. Thus, he advocated the appointment of eight foremen to guide workers, under planning and production departments. Under the planning incharge, there are four personnel:
(i) Route clerk He is responsible to specify the route of production. {it) Instruction card clerk He is responsible to give instructions to the workers.
{ii) Time and cost clerk He is responsible to prepare time and cost sheets.
(iii) Disciplinarian He is responsible to maintain discipline among workers.
Under the production incharge, there are four personnel:
(i) Speed boss He is responsible for timely completion of job.
{ii) Gang-boss He is responsible for keeping machines and tools ready for work.
{iii) Repair boss He is responsible to keep machines and tools in proper working condition.
{iv) Inspector He is responsible to maintain quality of work.
Mental Revolution: It involves change in the attitude of workers and management. Both should realise the importance of the other and should cooperate with each other. Both should aim to increase the size of surplus. Managers should share their gains with workers, while workers should contribute to increase profits. This attitude will bring prosperity to both, the company as well as the workers.