Frederick Taylor and the Public Administration Community

Book excerpt: This book argues that the “authoritarian” depiction of Frederick Taylor trivializes his important contribution. Schachter’s analysis of Taylor’s work shows that he actually originated many of the human relations insights that the literature attributes to Mayo, Maslow, and McGregor. Introduced are two major arguments. Through an examination of Taylor’s work, a new way of understanding his actual approach to management is opened. Also discussed are the political and historical reasons that led to the distortion of his work.