Taylorism and Globalization: Examining Business Strategies

This report provides an analysis of Taylorism and Globalization, examining their impact on business strategies. It begins with an executive summary outlining Ford's approach to mass production and the application of Taylor's principles, aiming for cost-effective manufacturing and higher employee wages. The report then explores Friedman's concept of a 'flat world,' where barriers are diminished, and individuals become agents of globalization. The report further discusses the application of Taylorism in an information technology context, highlighting its potential benefits in process optimization and employee retention, while also acknowledging the challenges in its adaptation. The report also delves into Friedman's views on globalization, including the three eras of globalization and the concept of the world shrinking in size, and the impact on individualism. Finally, the report concludes by emphasizing the continuing relevance of Taylorism and globalization in the modern business world, particularly when integrated with technology, and the importance of adapting strategies to the changing global landscape.

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TAYLORISM AND GLOBALIZATION
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Contents
TAYLORISM AND GLOBALIZATION...................................................................................3
Executive summary......................................................................................................................3
Week 1-Activity 1-Ford and Taylorism.......................................................................................3
Week 2-Activity 1: Thomas Friedman on Globalisation; 3 Eras of Globalisation; the World is
flat................................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................6
Reference.....................................................................................................................................7

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TAYLORISM AND GLOBALIZATION
Executive summary
Ford formed a motor company with an idea that he would manufacture cars cheaply and with
simplicity. With Fredrick Taylor expertise Ford used Taylor’s principles were to maximize the
production of cars at low cost and with less time yet make sure the employees would get better
wages.
The world is a flat platform where barriers don't exist and people can communicate, people can
work and across the boundaries, people can collaborate. There are some of problems and hazards
that come with living in this flat world of globalization 3.0 as per Friedman in his explanations
and advocacies.
Week 1-Activity 1-Ford and Taylorism
For an organization in information technology where I have been working for in the past, the
whole principle idea of breaking the long processes into stages is a principle idea that would be a
success. The working method adopted at the organization, in nature was restrictive with no scope
or at its best-limited scope for delegation of duties. In turn, it resulted to attrition and lack of
productivity of employees.
The principle of reducing the strenuous effort of workers and saving time if well adopted at the
information technology company would benefit the company in both tangible and intangible
ways. Some of the intangible outcomes will be goodwill in the market and also retention of
talent. Additionally, another principle the organization should consider is to give job security to
the employees which mean that 100% productivity in the company is maintained. Organizations
have known the secret to prosperity in the business which is to keep their employees happy at all

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times. The strategy makes sure the company experiences good returns in turn. The DHL
Company CEO said that they always take good care of their workers who in turn reciprocate the
favor by taking good care of the DHL Company. This makes their employees feel appreciated
and feel secure since their efforts are recognized.
In this era, across America, Europe, and Australia workers would not accept workers would not
accept Taylorism in the form it was made. With changes in automation and technology certainly,
there is the absence of wisdom in applying the theory which is established totally. The
foundation theory would not work in the current settings unless ramifications are made and also
its application would be tough (Logue & Yates, 2001).
Taylorism when it comes to the call centers, its application can be considered not completely but
to some extent. Specializing is niche since the call operation is divided into different sectors
basically. Job division in a call center would be applicable still where employees would be
allocated to the place their best suited in and where the expertise lies within. The job roles would
be assigned to the respective employee accordingly.
Definitely, there would be absolutely organizations and industries across the world whereby they
need the well thought-out application of the thoughts as mentioned above. The thought which
was established years ago have some logic in it and the meager thoughtful ideas in it have a long
lasting effect that simply means its application would be still meaningful. The principle of
rewarding employees who work hard, the initiating of simple production ways and division of
work are a secret to a lucrative business. If the idea is applied well as supposed to then it means
that success would be a guarantee even in this age and era.

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Week 2-Activity 1: Thomas Friedman on Globalisation; 3 Eras of Globalisation; the World
is flat
Friedman says that the world has faced globalization and it has shrunk to size tiny. It isn’t
anymore about a country or companies but individuals. Individuals have now turned to be agents
of globalization. For instance, Virgin Airways belongs to a single individual who owns the whole
company. It’s not about the company anymore but the single individual success which is ranked
by how big his wealth is. The owner gets to compete with other individuals from different
companies who still own such companies. Still, the labor markets get to be explored exploiting
only the best that is just from all over the world just to work individually for an individual. This
really proves how the world is small and has shrunk to a size small.
I completely agree with Freidman on the iron rule. The rule stated that in a flat world whatever
that can be done will be done. And the only one to do it is you. People can always do what they
want due to advancements in technology. For instance, a website was started by the Southwest
Airline, where people would login online and print their own their boarding passes which were
bar coded and finally get to download the tickets. The individuals would become their own self-
ticket agents without any restrictions. This means that people may do what they want after
changing which definitely means new changes in individuals and what they do Freidman, 2005).
The level of globalization across the world is not the same. There seems to be the mentality that
globalization is the same in each part of the globe but that is not the case. Gaps of in differences
exist especially in countries where technology is not advanced as others. In Africa, the
globalization seems to be peaking up but one wouldn't compare with the rest of the world. A

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look at the Forbes list, we see the top richest people be from continents like America and Asia is
enough proof that globalization levels are different and not uniform across the world.
Conclusion
Taylorism has its own impacts and they are important and still applicable even in today's
business world. The application in the current world needs technology and this means that
technology would be handy in turn producing amazing results. With breaking of stages and high
wages for employees, a business would experience success.
The process of globalization has occurred in 3 stages according to Freidman. The stages have
resulted in making the world shrink into size small which brings draw backs across the globe.
Individualism has become so globalized that now the world has become flat.

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Reference
Logue, J., & Yates, J. (2001): The real world of employee ownership. Cornell University Press
Freidman, T. (2005): The world is flat. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.