Robert Owen

Robert Owen(1771-1858)

• Was a Utopian Socialist and Social Reformer

• Was more a doer than a talker

• Born on 14th May, 1771 at Newton, Wales, England

• At 16 found work in wholesale and retail drapery

• At 19 borrowed 100 pounds and set up spinning mules with John Jones

• 1792 left the partnership and joined as a manager in Drinkwaters factory.

“A person’s character is formed by the effects of his environment.”

• “Only the right environment could produce

Owen’s Convictions rational, good and humane people.”

• “Allies important in developing a person.”

MANAGEMENT CONTRIBUTIONS

• Founded famous New Lanark Mills in Scotland.

• Was one of the foremost management thinkers during the industrial revolution well before the advent of the Scientific Management School

• Can be called World’s first enlightened (and first personnel) manager and the Father of the Cooperative Movement

• Established the Grand National Consolidated Trade Union in 1834.

MANAGEMENT CONTRIBUTIONS

• Stopped employing children below 10 in factories

• Reduced working hours from 14 to 10

• Built houses for workers with proper sanitation

• Nursery for children

• Showed higher wages increased profits through higher productivity

• Unique incentive schemes

• Informal workers participation in management............................