Compare and contrast between Henry Fayol and F.W. Taylor.

Henry Fayol, a French Engineer is regarded as the father of classical theory whereas F.W. Taylor, an American Engineer, is regarded as the father of scientific management. Both were contemporary though from different countries. These two pioneers differed in their perspective, focus, attention, orientation, personality, purpose, emphasis and so on.

Differences between Henry Fayol and F.W. Taylor

Henry Fayol		F.W. Taylor
By profession, he was a practitioner (administrator).	1. (Profession)	By profession, he was a scientist.
He concentrated on the top level, i.e. analysis of a manager’s activities.	2. (Concentrated)	He concentrated on the operative and shop floor level i.e. analysis of worker’s activities.
He provided a systematic theory of management (administration).	3. (Provided)	He provided a science of industrial management.
His approach was flexible.	4. (Approach)	His approach was relatively rigid.
His main concern was to develop a universal or general theory of management or administration.	5. (Main Concern)	His main concern was to improve the productivity of labour and eliminate wastages.
He worked from top to bottom level. Hence, his theory is known as top – down theory.	6. (Theory)	He worked from bottom to top level. Hence, his theory is know as bottom – up theory.
His ideas are based on personal experiences.	7. (Ideas)	His ideas are based on scientific experimentation, observation and measurement.
He focused on improving the overall administration by observing certain principles.	8. (Focus)	He focused on increasing productivity through work simplification and standardisation.
He emphasized on the functions of management as a whole and principles involved therein.	9. (Emphasized)	He emphasized on the efficiency of workers and managers in actual production.
His principles are relevant in all functional areas. Hence, his theory has wider application.	10. (Principles)	His principles are relevant mainly in production activities.
He advocated the principle of unity of command.	11. (Advocated)	He advocated the principle of functional foremanship.
He stressed the administrative side of work.	12. (Stressed)	He stressed on the technical side of work.
He studied micro aspect-management of total organization. Hence, his theory is known as macro theory.	13. (Studied)	He studied micro aspect-management of tasks. Hence, his theory is known as micro theory.

Similarities

Faylor himself said in 1925 (in a speech delivered at the Second International Congress held at Brussels) that his contributions and those of Taylor are essentially complementary to each other. This is clear from the following similarities between them:

1. Both realized that efficient management of the problems of personnel is the key to industrial (organisational) success.
2. Both applied scientific methods to the problems of management.
3. Both attempted to put management on rational and systematic basis.
4. Both emphasized mutual co-operation between employers (management) and employees (workers) for the attainment of organizational goals.
5. Both had the experience of industry and developed their ideas through practical training and experience.
6. Both believed that managerial qualities can be acquired through training.
7. Both realized the universality of management.