The poor reception of scientific management in the Spanish railways

Abstract

There is a general consensus in highlighting the enormous obstacles that the implementation of the Scientific Organization of Labor had to overcome whatever the rail network and the country. In European countries, there was a period of diffusion of the theory prior to its implementation. However, the diffusion was always partial, and it usually started in the workshops
because of their proximity to the metal trades. The Spanish railway companies generally followed the same script: the theory was received, but its practical application was delayed. This paper shows the informative efforts made by some highly skilled “production organizers” in all kinds of forums till the mid twentieth century. Some of them even chaired sessions at the International Congresses of Railways.