Taylor’s principles of scientific management and Fayol’s principles of management are mutually complementary. Both of them evolved their principles through practical experience and brought them forward to the world through their books.
Both of them realized the importance of management in industrial progress. As a result, they endeavoured to develop a rational and systematic basis of management. However, the two pioneers differ from each other in the following aspects.
1. Taylor’s principles and techniques are relevant mainly with respect to production activities. As he focused his attention on factory management, as a result, his principles are directly applicable at the shop floor. Whereas Fayol’s principles have wider relevance in functional areas and his principles can be applied to all kinds of activities.
2. Taylor called his philosophy ‘scientific management’ whereas Fayol described his approach as ‘General administration’.
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3. Taylor’s principles and techniques aimed at improving productivity of labour and following on workers’ efficiency. Whereas Fayol focused on achieving managerial efficiency.
4. Taylor looked at the management from supervisory viewpoint and suggested principles with bottom upward approach. On the other hand, Fayol analysed management from the angle of top management based on top downward approach.
A comparison between the contributions of the two pioneers helps us to conclude that Fayol’s theory is more widely applicable than that of Taylor’s and has stood the test of time. However, Taylor’s contribution to management is also very significant as it lends a scientific touch in solving managerial problems.