Managerial Control of American Workers

<p> Today surveillance and regulation of employees are pervasive at all levels (except the highest) in a wide variety of American workplaces. Digital information systems have become important tools of managerial control. The constraints built into these systems by so-called business process reengineering are a continuation of scientific management principles developed during the late 19th century. Additional means of control have included employment-based welfare capitalism and human relations and corporate culture approaches.</p><p> This book provides fresh insight into various practices of managerial control from the 1880s to the present and their effects on work organization and quality and worker skill requirements.</p><p> The author highlights current developments--including those focused on highly skilled knowledge workers--accounting for enhanced automation offshoring and related changes in the production and distribution of goods and services.</p>