Final answer:
Frederick Taylor attempted to increase workplace efficiency through scientific management, which included time-motion studies and process optimization. His methods aimed at benefiting both employers and employees but were controversial and met with criticism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Frederick Taylor, a key figure in the development of industrial engineering, sought to redesign workplaces to optimize efficiency and productivity. In his seminal 1911 work, The Principles of Scientific Management, Taylor introduced the concept of scientific management, advocating for the rigorous study and optimization of work processes to eliminate waste and improve efficiency. By conducting time-motion studies, Taylor aimed to standardize work practices and maximizing the efficiency of both labor and machinery. In doing so, he believed that both the employer and employee would greatly benefit, with increased output leading to higher wages for workers and greater profits for companies. Despite achieving higher productivity and reducing costs, Taylor's methods were controversial, and they were met with criticism for turning workers into mechanical parts of a production process and limiting their autonomy.