thinkPhD

MGT5031: Assignment #2 - Woo Hoo! August 16, 2006

Posted by thinkphd in : MGT5031 , trackback

As you may recall, I have been working on Assignment #2 in Dr. Crake’s MGT 5031 History of Management Theory:

For your second assignment, select an industry that has undergone significant change in terms of organizational understanding, people management, complexity, and use of scientific theory in management. Generally, these are industries or businesses that radically evolved during the first half of the 20th century. Describe the changes that occurred to the business or industry in terms of its evolution in management.

I struggled to find an industry that I could discuss that would capture the salient points of the assignment, yet give me a platform to analyze how scientific management changed the industry.

Here is the abstract for my paper:

“The Forging of Scientific Management in the Steel Industry”:

Radically evolved during the first half of the 20th century, the steel industry has undergone significant change in terms of organizational understanding, people management, complexity, and use of scientific theory in management. As the subject of Frederick W. Taylor’s initial studies of time management, division of labor and the elimination of wasted motion, steel became the poster child of scientific management. Nonetheless, the industry suffered through waves of rapid growth and union dissatisfaction. At its peak, it was the largest industry in the world with a budget of global dimensions and its business practices influenced a nation’s views on the relationship between labor and management.

OK…OK so now you want to know how I did??? (theatrical pause for effect)….

Here is an excerpt of the feedback I received:

Excellent work Cindy! You have provided a very well developed discussion of the history and development of the Steel industry, together with an excellent discussion of the evolution of management in that industry, during the industrial revolution. Excellent analysis of scientific management principles as applied in the industry. Well structured with a good introduction and excellent conclusion. Very well written and well presented. Excellent use of examples throughout to illustrate your discussion and argument. Very well researched. Great work!

I am so happy! I spent hours and hours on this paper and I am thrilled with the results!

But of course it wasn’t all fun and games….once again, I had tech issues trying to turn in a paper.

I use dial up service to access the internet. As I was posting assignment #2, the service kept hanging up or stalling. Finally, I could see the file on the assignment tab. I wrote a little note to Dr. Crake, and he responded that he received 4 copies of my assignment. I know he was scratching his head on that one, trying to figure out why in the world I would send him 4 copies!

So…does this mean that I have 4 x the points on this assignment??? LOL

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