Final answer:
The statement is true: Don, a middle manager, is responsible for supervising nonmanagerial personnel on the factory production line, in line with principles of scientific management emphasizing efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the role of a middle manager in a factory setting. Don, a middle manager, would typically be responsible for supervising nonmanagerial personnel working on the factory production line, so the statement is True. Middle managers in factory environments play a crucial role in implementing the principles of scientific management, as developed by Fredrick Taylor, which emphasizes efficiency and division of labor. This management style, often geared towards maximizing productivity, may result in workers feeling like cogs in a machine, due to the repetitive and isolated nature of their tasks.
The context provided indicates that the nature of work for factory employees has been transforming, though the shift towards a more cooperative and partnership-based approach between employees and managers is a more recent trend and does not universally reflect the traditional manager/employee dynamic that would be representative of Don's role in the factory.