Final answer:
Frederick Taylor, known for his time and motion studies, aimed to optimize workplace efficiency and improve productivity through scientific management, which later became known as 'Taylorism'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Frederick Taylor, often referred to as the father of scientific management, conducted time and motion studies to improve workplace productivity. Taylor's approach, known as 'Taylorism', involved breaking down production processes into individual actions to eliminate inefficiencies and optimize each motion for increased efficiency. His work laid the foundation for modern industrial engineering, emphasizing the maximization of economic efficiency in factories and the importance of human factors in the design of work.
Taylor's principles also introduced the concept of work rest, leading to increased worker productivity and less worker fatigue. However, his focus on efficiency sometimes led to criticism regarding potential exploitation of workers and the reduction of workforce numbers. Despite this, Taylorism had a significant influence on the management practices of the era and continues to impact how modern businesses operate.