On a coming centenary. The work of F. W. TAYLOR

Abstract

• F. W. Taylor developed his researches 
during the Second Industrial 
Revolution. He tried to fi nd out an 
answer to “the labour question”. His 
propositions have been an object 
of controversy from their early 
beginning. Some ones remark their 
inhuman side and pointed out them 
as representatives of most extreme 
capitalism. Others consider him as 
one of the greatest promoter of 
industrial engineering and productivity 
revolution. This article is devoted 
to analyse the works of Taylor and 
their consequences, in the light of 
his writings and those of his main 
commentators.