The Screen Image of the Efficiency Expert
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Management history as told by popular culture: the screen image of the efficiency expert Mordecai Lee University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Winconsin, USA Keywords chapters on ``Time Study'' Niebel,1992) and Efficiency, Management, History, Introduction ``Predetermined Motion-Time Systems'' Films, Televisiion Frederick Winslow Taylor unleashed the Sellie,1992). The focus ± even mania ± to be Abstract cultural norm of efficiency that has become efficient in all aspects of life seems to be This exploration of management an integral part of the industrialized world. accelerating with new technologies Gleick, history focuses on mass His thinking ``so permeates the soil of 1999,pp. 211-25 and passim). 24/7 is a motto entertainment media to determine modern life we no longer realize it's there'' that would make Taylor proud. the history of the efficiency expert In management history,the efficiency in popular culture. It reviews the Kanigel,1997,p. 7). Taylor was extremely history of the image of the influential in management and business expert can be studied through traditional efficiency expert in film and on administration. For example,when members research approaches Tatham,1964). American-produced television of the Management History Division of the However,given the omnipresence of programs. The review shows that Academy of Management were polled in 1977 efficiency throughout society,this exploration this profession is a universal and seeks to contribute to management history by pervasive one, permanently by Wren and Hay about the most important embedded in our culture and contributors to management thought and analyzing popular culture. Specifically,it catholic in background, practice,Taylor won handily reported in identifies the depictions of the efficiency occupation and workplace. It is Kanigel,1997,p. 10). A 1992 assessment expert on movie and television screens and generally a man's job. The most described contemporary experts as then attempts to identify trends and significant historical trend is a generalizations about popular culture's view sharp change from the efficiency continuing to ``refine what he did and to add of the efficiency expert. expert as an amusing and those nuances of which we are aware in relatively harmless character to a industry today'' Terry,1992,p. 274). malevolent one who is to be Blackwell's 1998 encyclopedia stated that feared. Although television has Overview of the movie efficiency only existed for about half as long ``even today many science management as motion pictures, the depiction principles and practices are still widespread'' expert of the efficiency expert on TV is Cooper and Argyris,1998,p. 581). Film is used for historical research in many similar to his movie image. This Similarly,public administration's widely recognized profession academic fields Pronay,1983; Raack,1983), needs no introduction to the intellectual roots came from Taylor Kanigel, including business and government Powers viewer. He is a negative figure, 1997,p. 489),focusing on operating et al.,1993; Smith,1996; Graham,1997; Jones, often laughed at but never government more efficiently and 1998; Lee,2000). Movies are also used in admired. economically Waldo,1984,Chapter 10). The management training Champoux,1999; first textbook in public administration Dubnick,2000; Jurkiewicz and Giacalone, declared ``that the achievements of scientific 2000). The University of Minnesota's Center management have aroused a vast amount of for the History of Information Processing dissatisfaction with the antiquated methods maintains a directory of movies about which have characterized many public computers University of Minnesota,2000). A offices'' White,1926,p. 13). The entry for management professor maintains an on-line ``efficiency'' in a 1998 encyclopedia noted its directory of Management Film Festival continuing vitality O'Neill,1998). Favorites Davidson,2000) and a for-profit Taylor's preoccupation with efficiency training company's Web site is entitled permeates industrial engineering. A Management Goes to the Movies 2000). codification of contemporary standards and No effort is made here to define an efficiency definitions in 1983 included entries for expert. Rather,the term was left to the sources efficiency,motion studies and time studies themselves. If a reviewer or summarizer of a Rigassio et al.,1983,pp. 235,239,244). A 1992 movie or television program used the phrase Management Decision handbook for the profession included ``efficiency expert'' to describe a character in 40/9 [2002]881±894 it,then it was accepted for use in this article. It is quite revealing to note the breadth of # MCB UP Limited The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at [ISSN 0025-1747] management activities which lay sources http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0025-1747.htm [DOI 10.1108/00251740210441081] describe as that of an efficiency expert. [ 881 ] Mordecai Lee Original literary source: 1935 serialized novel Management history as told Film portrayals of the efficiency in the Saturday Evening Post by Clarence by popular culture: the screen expert Budington Kelland Nolan,1937) image of the efficiency expert Management Decision Title: City Slicker Director: Tay Garnett 40/9 [2002]881±894 Year released: 1918 Category: Comedy Screenwriters): none credited. Country of origin: USA Original literary source: none Character described as efficiency expert: Director: none credited. Producer: Hal Roach Internet Movie Data Base IMDb),2000 Category: Silent comedy Reviews: ``rollicking screwball farce'' Scheuer,1991,p. 996) Country of origin: USA Plot relating to efficiency expert: Atterbury Character described as efficiency expert: Dodd Leslie Howard) is an efficiency expert Harold Lloyd Anthology A-1 Video and Film who believes everything can be reduced to Services,2000) mathematics. He is sent to Hollywood to see Reviews: ``Short on anything approaching a whether Colossal Pictures is a good connected story ... has a wealth of good investment. He soon learns that movie business'' Motion Picture News,1 June,1918, production doesn't fit his formulaic mindset. cited in D'Agostino,1994,p. 113). Plot relating to efficiency expert: Harold Title: Cheaper by the Dozen Harold Lloyd) is an efficiency expert from Year released: 1940 the city who comes to a small rural hotel that Screenwriters): Lamar Trotti is in need of modernizing. He installs all sorts of gadgets and time saving devices such as a Original literary source: book Gilbreth and bed that comes out of the wall,a tub that Carey,1948) emerges from the fireplace and a telephone in Director: Walter Lang the mantle picture. Category: Comedy and drama Country of origin: USA Title: Palmy Days Character described as efficiency expert: Year released: 1931 Narrator/daughter describes father as ``an Screenwriters): Eddie Cantor, industrial engineer and a leader in the field David Freedman,Morrie Ryskind and of scientific management. If that sounds Keene Thompson complicated,just say that he was an Original literary source: none efficiency expert.'' Director: A. Edward Sutherland Reviews: ``Heartwarming and funny ... Category: Comedy and musical nostalgic and corny at the same time'' Scheuer,1991,p. 175) Country of origin: USA Plot relating to efficiency expert: based on Character described as efficiency expert: the real-life story Frank Gilbreth,Sr Clifton Motion Picture Guide Nash and Ross,1986) Webb),an efficiency consultant who tried to Reviews: ``frantically paced comedy'' apply the same methods to his household, Scheuer,1991,p. 796); ``silly comic scenes ... with amusing results. For example,when he [with] Busby Berkeley overhead shots'' returns from a business trip,he summons Maltin,1998,p. 1031). his children and notes how long it takes Plot relating to efficiency expert: Owner of them to assemble. ``18 seconds,'' he says, bakery motto: ``Glorifying the American ``not bad,not bad. But I still think we can Doughnut'') seeks advice to improve his make it in less.'' He asks his wife to time him business. By mistake,the owner thinks that as he buttons his vest. Which direction is Eddie Simpson Eddie Cantor) is an faster? Seven efficiency expert and hires him to improve seconds from top to bottom while only five operations at the bakery. He falls in love and a half seconds the other way. Later,he is with the baker's daughter,while his invited to address the ``international neighbor and associated gangsters try to management conference in Prague.'' force him to help them steal the payroll from Him: It's going to be a pretty high powered the bakery's safe. meeting. Attract the best scientific minds in the world. Her: That's why it's such a wonderful Title: The Stand-In opportunity to show other countries what Year released: 1937 motion study really is. And to have your Screenwriters): Lamar Trotti methods accepted universally ... It will establish you as a leader in the whole field. [ 882 ] Mordecai Lee However,Gilbreth dies on his way Director: Charles Crichton Management history as told totheconference.Themovieendswithhis Category: Comedy by popular culture: the screen image of the efficiency expert wife delivering his paper in his stead and Country of origin: UK Management Decision then successfully taking over his business. Character described as efficiency expert: 40/9 [2002]881±894 Script see excerpt in plot summary) Title: Desk Set,aka His Other Woman Reviews: ``Sparkling British comedy with Year released: 1957 macabre overtones'' Maltin,1998,p. 90); Screenwriters): Henry and Phoebe Ephron ``tone shifts uncertainly between facile farce Original literary source: Play Marchant, and sharp satire'' Pym,1998,p. 62) 1956) Plot relating to efficiency expert: American Director: Walter Lang businesswoman Constance Cummings) meets the owner of an Edinburgh tweed cloth Category: Comedy factory: Country of origin: USA She: I'm a business consultant. Character described as efficiency expert: He: You mean a sort of efficiency expert? Maltin,1998,p. 338 She: Well,it's a little more than that. We try to apply psychology to business. Reviews: ``Great fun'' Maltin,1998,p. 338); He: Apply psychology to business? My ``laugh-filled comedy'' Scheuer,1991,p.