ABSTRACT
Productivity and work study have traditionally been updated by knowledge from narrow practical fields addressed by various academic scholars. This chapter centers on the evolution and definition of productivity and work study in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide. The term work study was coined in 1911 by Frederick Winslow Taylor, who was known as the father of scientific management due to his ability to ensure the efficient use of time by employees in the workplace. The work study concept was endorsed by various pioneers from 1924 to 2015.
The concept of “work study” as indicated by all these pioneers revolves around method study, which introduces employees to job simplification and work measurements that address the appropriate standard time for the work activities being carried out to ensure productivity improvement in manufacturing SMEs. It is also evident that the explanation of productivity as a concept depends on the ratio of outputs to inputs in these enterprises. Productivity was addressed based on the measurement and improvement of operational processes among manufacturing SMEs. The conclusion drawn was based on calculations regarding productivity measures and improvement in these enterprises.
