What does the application of Scientific Management aim to minimize in the workplace?

The application of Scientific Management focuses primarily on the standardization of work processes and minimizing variation in how tasks are performed. This theory, developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the early 20th century, emphasizes the importance of finding the "one best way" to perform a job. By creating standardized methods for tasks, it aims to improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace.

Minimizing variation means that workers are trained to perform their tasks in a consistent manner, which leads to increased predictability in outcomes, reduced errors, and optimized production rates. By controlling the way work is done, managers can identify inefficiencies and make necessary adjustments to streamline processes. This rational approach to task management not only enhances productivity but also allows for better planning and control in organizational processes.

In contrast, the other options, while they touch on important aspects of workplace management, do not align as directly with the core intent of Scientific Management. For instance, minimizing time wasted on non-repetitive tasks may relate to efficiency, but the theory is more focused on repetitive tasks and standardization. Addressing worker stress through long hours is an important consideration but not the primary focus of Scientific Management, which looks at optimizing task performance rather than worker well-being. Lastly, while the realization of