Shovels, Trowels, and Ice Cream Scoops: In Search of the Right Tool to Explain Scientific Management

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Eric W. Ford, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Each term, when covering the history of management, many students have difficulty identifying with “ancient” management figures such as Frederick Taylor and Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Even in Birmingham, Alabama, the former “Pittsburgh of the South,” Taylor?s pig iron studies have little relevance. The bricklaying, sewing, and surgery studies by the Gilbreths fare only slightly better. The principles espoused by these figures have become so engrained in the field of management that students now see them as common sense. To help students relate more easily to these figures and to understand the basic principles of scientific management, a familiar activity, dipping ice cream, can be used. This exercise and subsequent discussion can clearly demonstrate how these management principles are applied. Students learn firsthand that worker productivity can be improved by applying concepts developed by Taylor and the Gilbreths. An added benefit is that this exercise builds rapport among students early in the term.

Additional Information

Publication
Richardson, W. D. and Ford, E. W. (2002). Shovels, Trowels, and Ice Cream Scoops: In Search of the Right Tool to Explain Scientific Management. The Journal of Management Education. Volume 26 (2), pp. 194-204.
Language: English
Date: 2002
Keywords
Scientific management, Management education

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TitleLocation & LinkType of Relationship
DOSIMETRIC STUDY OF BETA-MINUS EMITTER PRASEODYMIUM-142 : APPLICATIONS IN MICROSPHERE BRACHYTHERAPY FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND BRACHYTHERAPY FOR OCULAR SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMAhttp://hdl.handle.net/10342/4234The described resource references, cites, or otherwise points to the related resource.