Difference Between Fayol and Taylor Principles of Management

The key difference between Fayol and Taylor principles of management is that Taylor principles of management are concerned with evaluating the performance of employees and getting the work done most efficiently, whereas Fayol principles of management are concerned with managing problems in top management point of view.

In a positive working environment, it is the manager’s responsibility to find the best possible approaches for employees to perform and manage their tasks. Moreover, it is one of the principles of Classical management theory.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Fayol Principles of Management
3. What is Taylor Principles of Management
4. Similarities Between Fayol and Taylor Principles of Management
5. Side by Side Comparison – Fayol vs Taylor Principles of Management in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Taylor Principles of Management?

Taylor principles of management focus on observing the workflows and evaluating its efficiency and effectiveness. This is mostly related to production and engineering sectors. Moreover, the developer of this theory was F.W.Taylor. Therefore, this theory is also called Taylor management theory.

Taylor principles of management, which consist of the following principles, are a mental revolution for both employer and employees.

1. Science, not the rule of thumb: The core is Science
2. Harmony within the group- Unity within the group
3. Cooperation, not individualism- Supportive with each other instead of personal performance
4. Development of employees to achieve efficiency.

What is Fayol Principles of Management?

Fayol principles of management focus on achieving the most rational organization for managing different tasks specified within a complex division of labour. Moreover, this theory of management was introduced by Henri Fayol.

Furthermore, the Fayol principles of management consist of 14 principles of management, which are based on fundamental truths.

1. Division of Work: Work done as small jobs or operations, creating specialization.
2. Authority and Responsibility: Authority suggests the right to give the order and obtain obedience and responsibility is the sense of dutifulness that arises out of authority.
3. Discipline: Respect to organizational rules and the terms of employment.
4. Unity of Command: Employees will work for command by their Superior.
5. Unity of Direction: All are working for the same targets for the betterment of the company.
6. Subordination: No personal or group interest, only a general interest persists.
7. Remuneration: The payment system contributes to the success of the organization.
8. Centralization: There must be the finest utilization of an organization’s resources.
9. Scalar Chain: This implies the superior-subordinate relation within the organization.
10. Order: Everything has a place or sequence
11. Equity: No discrimination
12. Stability of tenure of Personnel: Employee retention or long term employment is important.
13. Initiative: Bringing new thing to the company.
14. Esprit de Corps (Unity is strength): Team spirit in the organization.

These 14 principles are very useful in managing organizations. Overall, these are useful tools for various organizational tasks such as predicting, planning, decision-making, coordination and control.

What is the Similarity Between Fayol and Taylor Principles of Management?

• Both principles have a common goal to achieve – to enhance the efficiency levels of the organizations.
• Moreover, they share common principles such as work is divided and specialized, responsibilities of managers, unity within the group etc.

What is the Difference Between Fayol and Taylor Principles of Management?

There is a significant difference between Fayol and Taylor principles of management. The Taylor principles of management consider employee efficiency, whereas Fayol principles of management theory consider human and behavioural determinants of the organization.

Fayol principles of management emphasize on activities like planning and controlling, whereas Taylor principles of management emphasize on work study and time of study of workers. Moreover, Fayol principles put more emphasis on top management point of view on resolving problems, whereas Taylor principles emphasize low-level management in an organization. So, this is another difference between Fayol and Taylor principles of management.

However, Fayol principles can be applied to any organization; because it is universally applicable, but Taylor principles are applied only to specialized organizations like production and engineering.

Summary – Fayol vs Taylor Principles of Management

Although both management theories formed to enhance a positive workplace, there are significant differences between the two theories. The key difference between Taylor principles of management and Fayol principles of management is that Taylor principles consider the workflows and operator efficiency levels in an organization whereas Fayol principles of management theory consider top management approach to resolve problems.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Frederick Winslow Taylor crop” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Henri Fayol, 1900” By Unknown – Late 19th century, also early 20th-century picture (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia