In management history, Frederick W. Taylor introduced which influential organisational system for improving industrial efficiency?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Functional organisation

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Frederick W. Taylor, the father of scientific management, profoundly shaped industrial engineering and organisational design. Knowing which structure he advocated helps connect early management theory with today's project and construction practices.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • We must identify the organisational form associated with Taylor's scientific management.
  • Options include line, line-and-staff, functional, and a vague term (effective).


Concept / Approach:
Taylor proposed functional foremanship: instead of a single foreman, several specialist foremen guide workers on planning, quality, maintenance, and methods. This is the essence of functional organisation—authority and responsibility are divided by specialty to raise efficiency and standardisation.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Map Taylor's ideas (scientific study of work, standard methods, differential piece rate, functional foremanship) to the organisational choices.Functional organisation aligns directly with the distribution of authority to specialists.Therefore, select Functional organisation.


Verification / Alternative check:
Classic texts cite Taylor's functional foremanship as a central mechanic of scientific management, not pure line or line-and-staff control.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Line organisation: Single chain of command; not Taylor's distinctive proposal.
  • Line and staff organisation: Combines command with advisory roles, more associated with later evolutions.
  • Effective organisation: Not a standard structural type.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing Taylor (functional foremanship) with later line-and-staff hybrids; assuming any efficient system equals Taylor's model.



Final Answer:
Functional organisation

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