What management perspective was most dominant in the U.S. from 1900 to 1950?

The most dominant management perspective in the U.S. from 1900 to 1950 was scientific management. This approach, developed primarily by Frederick Winslow Taylor, emphasized the importance of improving economic efficiency and labor productivity through systematic observation and measurement.

Scientific management focused on breaking tasks down into smaller parts, standardizing work processes, and establishing performance standards. This method aimed to find the most efficient way to complete tasks and emphasized the role of management in optimizing work procedures. As a result, it laid the groundwork for modern management practices by introducing concepts such as time and motion studies, work specialization, and the use of metrics to measure productivity and efficiency.

This period also saw the growth of large industrial organizations and the application of these principles to manufacturing processes, particularly in factories. Consequently, scientific management became a significant force in shaping labor relations, job design, and the overall organization of work during this era.