Source: EconLog
by Arnold Kling
“One interesting source of efficiency is removing unnecessary steps in the production process. For example, in an assembly line, if you raise the conveyor belt, the workers will not have to bend and lift objects. Modern writers often use scare quotes to describe ‘scientific management’ or ‘Taylorism,’ creating the impression that time-and-motion studies were instruments of oppression aimed at individual workers. But from Potter I learned that time-and-motion studies were used to discover ways to improve manufacturing processes. Raising the height of the conveyor belt is an example of scientific management that is a win-win for workers and for the manufacturer.” (12/19/25)
https://www.econlib.org/library/columns/y2025/klingproductivity