“In Japanese companies, paternalistic style of management is in practice. If at all workers go to strike they wear a black badge but work more than normal working hours to gain the sympathy of the management.”
Identify the principle of Taylor highlighted in the above lines.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Harmony, Not Discord
Option (1) Science not Rule of Thumb — Incorrect. This principle replaces guesswork with one best method developed by scientific study. It is about how work is done, not about relations between workers and management.
Option (2) Harmony, Not Discord — Correct. Taylor wanted complete harmony between management and workers, in place of class conflict. Both sides must change their thinking, which he called a mental revolution. Japanese companies are the classic example: even workers on strike wear a black badge and work extra hours, to win the management’s sympathy rather than fight it.
Option (3) Cooperation, Not Individualism — Incorrect. This principle is an extension of harmony. It asks for competition to be replaced by cooperation: management rewards workers’ useful suggestions, and management and workers share the work. The Japanese example is given under harmony, not here.
Option (4) Development of Each and Every Person to His or Her Greatest Efficiency and Prosperity — Incorrect. This principle is about scientific selection and training of each worker, so that he gives his best and earns well.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Harmony, Not Discord: … He emphasised that there should be complete harmony between the management and workers. Both should realise that each one is important. To achieve this state, Taylor called for complete mental revolution on the part of both management and workers. …” “Japanese work culture is a classic example of such a situation. In Japanese companies, paternalistic style of management is in practice. There is complete openness between the management and workers. If at all workers go to strike they wear a black badge but work more than normal working hours to gain the sympathy of the management.” |