Final answer:
Taylorism, or scientific management, is the theory developed by Frederick W. Taylor focusing on improving work efficiency by careful study and standardization of production processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory focused on making work more efficient by studying how people did their jobs and finding the best ways to do things is known as Taylorism or scientific management. Developed by Frederick W. Taylor, an engineer from Pennsylvania, Taylorism advocated for the careful study of every aspect of the production processes to improve efficiency by eliminating unnecessary steps and wasted motions. In his 1911 book The Principles of Scientific Management, Taylor presented his method of increasing industrial efficiency through time-motion studies and the principle of standardization, which aimed to determine the most efficient ways for workers to conduct their jobs. Despite its aim to improve productivity and worker wages, Taylor's method was often criticized for its disregard for worker well-being and the reduction of workers to repetitive tasks.