Fordism is a socioeconomic order that was instituted by Ford Motor Company and the Fordist model of management during the early 20th century. Fordism is characterized by four interdependent social processes: mass production, high wages, an extensive labor union and a broad consumption category. Fordism consists of production and consumption patterns as well as employment and investment characteristics associated with industrial Fordism. Fordism operates within the context of Fordist modernity, a specific mode of production in which mass consumption becomes possible through sustained industrial development.
Scientific management is an approach to management that analyzes and synthesizes workflows. It was one of the earliest attempts to apply science to the engineering of processes and organizational structures in business . Scientific management originated in principles articulated by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the 1880s which became known as “Taylorism”. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth developed these ideas further from their own work flow studies around 1900 , focusing on adjusting individual tasks for maximum efficiency, making many jobs simpler so that they could be performed by anyone.
The overall result was increased productivity in manufacturing industries during early 20th century . Scientific management is a primary concept contained within Fordist modernity. Fordism and scientific management are characterized by four interdependent social processes: mass production, high wages, an extensive labor union and a broad consumption category . Fordist modernity was legitimized as a product of Fordist principles which created a Fordist system that developed from the 1920s to the 1960s in the United States .
In contrast to earlier forms of economic activity , Fordism is defined specifically as “mass-production” with associated “standardization of both products and workers . ” A Fordist system fosters a greater role for management, involving formal business systems rather than more casual arrangements between sellers and customers. Mass production rests on the assembly line which provides interchangeable parts at low cost . Fordist modernity rests upon Fordist principles which include mass production, standardization , managerial control and above all else, technological advances in order to increase efficiency .
Fordist principles are outlined by Manuel Castells as the following: “the construction of a standardized product for worldwide mass consumption; the development of techniques for mass production based on the use of energy in machines rather than humans; the conquest of distance by market expansion through constant flows of goods at relatively low transport costs; and finally an adequate response to needs expressed by consumers in terms that are defined mainly in terms of price and quality.
The Fordist system is applied efficiently within Fordism and scientific management , which both share four interdependent social: mass production, high wages, an extensive labor union and a broad consumption category. Fordist principles within Fordism are legitimized through Fordism modernity , which develops Fordist principles into Fordist systems . Fordism is directly associated with Fordist modernity, while Fordism encompasses the socioeconomic order of Fordism.
Scientific management is applied efficiently in Fordistic structures and has an effect on the structure of Fordism, where it becomes associated with Taylorization, “the application of engineering methods to the new mass-production industries. ” Taylorization refers directly to Taylor’s method, developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor in 1917, for management goals. The article above contains foundational knowledge , but does not cover current events or trends . “Fordists” must describe current processes or examples of Fordist management as it applies to their field of study .
Fordism is a concept that can be applied to different fields, such as “Fordism and Society” , Fordism and Culture” or Fordism and Education . ” Fordists must analyze Fordist principles within those frameworks. Harvey notes that Fordist principles do not function without reference to Fordist modernity: “the social formation constituted by the capitalist division of labor in industries producing mass consumer goods, associated with certain methods of organizing work and social struggles capable of transforming the structure of social relations itself.
Thus we see that Fordist production rests upon its own basis, where society bears down on it in turn. From this standpoint the increasing mechanization serves to facilitate increased worker alienation, or “social relations mediated by things. ” Fordists must frequently reference Fordist principles within Fordist production to effectively discuss Fordism. “Fordism and Society” could be applied to a variety of fields, such as the social effects of Fordism, such as how it creates alienation among workers.
Fordists can also study Fordism’s impact on society, such as the influence Fordist principles have on consumer goods within Fordist societies. Lastly, Fordism can serve as a societal structure itself divided into production and consumption. When applying “Fordism and Culture,” Fordists might consider how management structures created during this time influenced mass media and art . The article above suggests that culture was heavily influenced by this concept. Some other topics include Fordism’s impact on the feminist movement, Fordist agencies in advertising, Fordism and sexuality or Fordism in cinema.
Fordism should use Fordist principles within this context when referring to Fordism in culture. When applying “Fordism and Education,” Fordists might consider how management structures created during this time influenced education. The article above suggests that education was heavily influenced by this concept. Some other topics include: Fordism’s effect on educational philosophy, Fordist influences on curriculum design, Fordism’s influence on student relations or Fordist effects of educational infrastructure.
Fordism should use these principles when discussing their chosen topic. “Fordism and Economy” may be applied to any field concerned with economics. Some good examples are the effects of the Fordist economy, Fordism’s relationship to the Keynesian economic model or Fordism as a type of economic theory. Fordists may also discuss Fordism within the context of finance , such as Fordist control over interest rates or Fordist influence on international financial policy. Fordists may also focus their resources on how Fordism impacts corporate structure and business management.
Fordism also demands a specifically Fordist approach to management, with the Fordist textbook ‘My Life and Work’ by Henry Ford being used as an example of Fordist management philosophy. Scientific Management emerged in the 1880s around new approaches to labour management, describing itself as ‘a true science’. It is characterised by its use of time-and-motion studies of workers’ movement within companies. These studies were intended to allow more effective means of organisation that did not rely on tradition or custom, but rather relied upon scientific study.
Scientific Managers also advocated Fordist management, with Ford’s ‘My Life and Work’ used as an example of Fordism. Fordism and Scientific Management are associated with each other because they share the same principles of Fordist management. Fordists argue that Fordism can be seen as a particular application of Scientific Management in mass production settings. Ford considered himself to be applying the principles he had learned from his work under Frederick W. Taylor in scientific study of his own factories, in order to reduce inefficiency in mass production methods, which in turn would lead to increased profits for Ford’s company.
However this was not how Taylor viewed it; Taylor believed that Ford was breaking away from scientific management, while Ford suggested he was applying scientific management faster than would any other company. Fordism is therefore a Fordist understanding of Scientific Management, and can be considered as an example or form of Fordist management. It could also be argued that Fordism is an evolution of scientific management, rather than a break away from it, because Ford studied the principles of scientific management in detail before implementing them with his assembly line technique.
In this view Ford became more skilled at applying the principles he had learned from working under Taylor, which then led to Ford’s highly successful business model. This allowed Ford to surpass all others in terms of profits accrued from mass production methods. Therefore Fordism developed further from Scientific Management through Ford’s practical application and study of the processes involved with Scientific Management within his own companies.