Re-Tayloring Management - Critical of Taylorism and Modern Practice

In this review of Re-Tayloring Management the editors Leonard Holmes and Christina Evans offer a thoughtful, academic reassessment of F.W. Taylor's influence on contemporary workplaces. The book is best suited for management scholars, business historians and practicing managers who want a critical lens on why scientific management still shapes organizations. The single biggest reason to read it is its clear argument that despite increased complexity in work, many organizations cling to Taylorist controls instead of empowering knowledge workers; the contributors back that claim with historical context and comparative perspectives.

Key Features

• Critical historical analysis: Chapters situate Taylor's Principles of Scientific Management in historical context to explain how its ideas persisted into modern management education and practice.
• Comparative perspectives: Contributors contrast Taylorism with alternative management philosophies to highlight practical differences in designing work systems for knowledge workers.
• Focus on professionalization: The book traces the growth of management as a profession and examines how that professionalization reinforced certain control-oriented practices.
• Evidence-driven discussion: Essays draw on scholarly research and case examples to show why tighter controls often replace discretion in service and knowledge work.
• Accessible to practitioners: While academic in tone, the book presents arguments that managers can apply to rethink work design and employee autonomy.

Who It's For

Re-Tayloring Management will appeal to academics in business history or organizational studies, postgraduate students exploring management theory, and senior managers interested in the roots of workplace control. The book works well as a seminar text because it combines critical essays with comparative analysis that provoke discussion.

Readers looking for a how-to manual, light popular business reading, or practical step-by-step change guides should look elsewhere; the book is reflective and analytical rather than a prescriptive toolkit for immediate operational change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Offers a well-researched, historically grounded critique that explains why Taylorist ideas persist in modern organizations.
• Includes varied perspectives that help readers compare Taylorism with alternative management approaches.
• Useful for classroom use and for managers seeking to understand deeper institutional causes of workplace design choices.

Cons

• Not a practical implementation guide; readers seeking immediate templates for redesign will find the content more theoretical than prescriptive.

Specifications

Title	Re-Tayloring Management
Editors / Authors	Leonard Holmes, Christina Evans
Subject	History and critique of scientific management
Audience	Scholars, managers, business students
Focus	Comparative perspectives on management and professionalization
Tone	Academic, analytical

Our Verdict

Re-Tayloring Management is a valuable, thoughtful collection for anyone wanting to understand why Taylorist approaches remain embedded in organizations and management education. It is good value for readers seeking historical depth and conceptual clarity, though those after step-by-step change plans will need to supplement it with practical guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book defend Taylor's ideas?
The editors and contributors critique Taylorism and examine its long-term effects rather than offering an unqualified defense.

Is the book suitable for practitioners?
Yes, practitioners will gain insight into the institutional reasons for control-oriented practices, but should not expect prescriptive templates.

Can it be used in academic courses?
Yes, it is well suited for seminars in business history, organizational studies, and management theory.