At 19 years old, he embarked on his journey in metallurgy and coal, gaining valuable experience along the way. As a result, by the time he reached 25, he had earned the prestigious position of mining manager. It was in 1878 that Fayol’s expertise caught the attention of the Mining Industrial Society in Paris. They invited him to present a significant report on the impact of air exposure on coal, specifically focusing on its alteration and spontaneous combustion. This report was met with much acclaim, firmly establishing Fayol as a highly influential figure in the scientific community. Notably, his contributions to the realm of administrative thinking are truly remarkable.
In the book Industrial and General Administration (1916), many of his ideas are thoroughly explored. This book was first published in the rural areas of France. Fayol heavily drew from Frederick Taylor’s theory on the scientific organization of work, which gained prominence during the second stage of the Industrial Revolution. Fayol’s administrative model, developed with utmost precision in his time, embraced a positivist approach. It involved meticulously observing facts, conducting experiments, and deriving general principles.
In the year 1921, he released a book called “The Industrial Disability of the State” where he passionately defended the principles of free enterprise and opposed any interference from the government in economic activities. Throughout his career in academia, he focused on three fundamental elements of the administrative model: dividing tasks among workers, implementing an effective administrative process, and establishing clear technical guidelines to guide the administrative function. According to Fayol, the administrative function solely concerns the society as a whole, unlike other functions that have an impact on not only the employees but also the materials and machinery involved in a company.
With his vast knowledge, he played a pivotal role in rescuing the Compagnie Commentary Fourchambault et Decazeville, an esteemed company facing both administrative and economic hardships. Thanks to his successful administration, Fayol served as the CEO until 1918, when his advanced age compelled him to hand over the reins to his successor. Afterward, he dedicated his life to penning and enriching his theories on administration. Fayol delved into various concepts, such as the division of labor, discipline, authority, unity, command hierarchy, centralization, just remuneration, staff stability, teamwork, initiative, and the pursuit of the greater good, among others.
It should be noted that his contributions played a crucial role during the later half of the 1800s and early 1900s, significantly revolutionizing administrative practices and transforming the way businesses operated. He can be credited as the pioneer of the administrative approach commonly referred to as “Fayolism.” Much like Fayol, he also expressed disapproval towards Frederick Taylor’s dehumanizing methods. Taylor’s primary aim was to minimize any idle time in workers’ activities in order to optimize the production system.
Even though he had taken lessons from him, he decided to concentrate on various aspects. The importance of studying this particular subject was greatly emphasized during the Industrial Revolution. Presently, research has connected their ideas with the principles of economic liberalism. Some notable contributions include: ensuring that the company’s goals and needs are met through effective human and material organization, appointing a dynamic and competent authority figure to lead, coordinating activities, analyzing the responsibilities of the General Director, and establishing a “General Staff” composed of individuals with the necessary expertise, energy, and time to support the Director’s endeavors.