“Staff standards are not theological abstractions, but scientific approximations, and are evolved for the use of the line, the sole justification of the standards being that they will make line work more efficient. Staff standards being for the benefit of the line and often entrusted to line officials, must be put in the form of permanent instructions so that all may understand what is being aimed at, and deviations by the line be noted and reprimanded.”

—  Harrington Emerson

Source: Efficiency as a Basis for Operation and Wages, p. 70; Cited in: Morgen Witzel (2003) Fifty Key Figures in Management. p. 79

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Harrington Emerson9
American efficiency engineer and business theorist 1853–1931

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