What is the purpose of "piece rate" pay systems in Scientific Management?

The concept of "piece rate" pay systems is fundamentally rooted in the principles of Scientific Management, which emphasizes efficiency and productivity in the workplace. The primary purpose of piece rate systems is to incentivize workers based on their productivity by compensating them for the number of units they produce or tasks they complete.

By linking compensation directly to output, piece rate systems aim to motivate workers to increase their productivity. This method encourages employees to work harder and faster because their earnings can rise significantly with higher levels of output. This aligns well with the goal of Scientific Management to maximize efficiency and productivity through systematic observation and control of labor.

In contrast to the other options, piece rate pay does not inherently provide job security, promote teamwork, or standardize wages. The system is designed to reward individual performance rather than collective effort or stability in pay. Thus, option C encapsulates the fundamental purpose of piece rate systems in supporting the overarching goals of Scientific Management.