ABSTRACT
In 1945 the American sociologist Fritz Roethlisberger published what was to become a classic article in the history of the first line supervisor. This chapter describes the significant diminution in the industrial supervisor's role that has taken place over the last sixty years or so. It is quite clear that in practice the Meister does enjoy a certain standing in the German company. Production managers, all over the world, lead rather full and busy lives. German production managers, however, do not seem to be under quite the same pressure as their British colleagues. German foremen often attend meetings alongside managers of higher rank; this is particularly the case with the Termingesprach and meetings to discuss investment plans and machinery purchase. The secretary reported back, in the presence of the foreman, that for two people the journey was cheapest by car.
