Scientific Management and Pragmatism in PA Theory: Taylor and Dewey as Strange Bedfellows

摘要: Scientific management in public administration is usually associated with the Philadelphian, machinist and industrial engineer Frederick Winslow Taylor, who introduced high-priced efficiency studies into workplace a stopwatch clever method of analysis. In contrast, scientific philosophy finds more resonance ideas American pragmatist John Dewey, conceived as species intelligent inquiry, or scientifically-modeled problem solving. While these accounts are not entirely accurate, they do provide depictions two thinkers strikingly different visions management. However, this reading result filtering Taylor’s through recent commentaries, mostly critical, mainstream consulting practices. Likewise, view that Dewey understood form inquiry contemporary interpretations his work. first sections paper, I examine similarities differences between conceptions Dewey’s critique book Democracy Education receives attention second section. third section, consider how approaches to organizational theory have moved away from Taylorism, reflecting several critical insights about alternative: human relations theory. The paper concludes some final thoughts concerning usefulness Dewey-Taylor comparison its implications for good governance democratic society.