Under Transitory Management the worker becomes more and more functionalized, as the results of motion study and time study make clear the advantages of specializing the worker.
EFFECTS UPON THE SCIENTIFICALLY MANAGED WORKER.—Under Scientific Management the effects of Functionalization are so universal and so far reaching that it is necessary to enumerate them in detail.
WORKER RELIEVED OF EVERYTHING BUT HIS SPECIAL FUNCTIONS.— Functionalization, in providing that every man is assigned a special function, also provides that he be called upon to do work in that function only, relieving him of all other work and responsibility. Realization of this elimination has a psychological effect on action and habits of thinking.[19]
PLACES ARE PROVIDED FOR SPECIALISTS.—Functionalization utilizes men with decided bents, and allows each man to occupy that place for which he is fitted.[20] Assignment to functions is done according to the capabilities and desires of those who are to fill them.
SPECIALIZING IS ENCOURAGED.—It is most important to remember that the man with any special talent or talents, individuality or special fitness is much more likely, under Scientific Management, to obtain and retain the place that he is fitted for than he ever could have been under Traditional Management, for, while many fairly efficient men can be found who can fill a general position, a man with the marked desirable trait necessary to fill a distinct position requiring that trait, will be one of few, and will have his place waiting for him.
ONE-TALENT MEN UTILIZED—.With Functionalization, men who lack qualifications for the position which they may, at the start, endeavor to fill, may be transferred to other positions, where the qualities they lack are not required. If a man has one talent, Scientific Management provides a place where that can be utilized.
For example:—
Men who cannot produce the prescribed output constantly, are placed on other work. The slow, unskilled worker who has difficulty to learn, may be put upon work requiring less skill, or where speed is not required so much as watchfulness and faithfulness. The worker who is slow, but exceptionally skilled, has the opportunity to rise to the position of the functional foreman, especially in the planning department, where knowledge, experience and resourcefulness, and especially ability to teach, are much more desired than speed and endurance. Thus there are places provided, below and above, that can utilize all kinds of abilities.
“ALL ROUND” MEN ARE UTILIZED.—The exceptional man who possesses executive ability in all lines, and balance between them all, is the ideal man for a manager, and his special “all round” ability would be wasted in any position below that of a manager.
STABILITY PROVIDED FOR.—Every man is maintained in his place by his interresponsibility with other men. If he is a worker, every man’s work is held to standard quality by the inspector, while the requirements and rewards of his function are kept before him by the instruction card man, rate fixer and the disciplinarian.