What encouraged managers to view workers as interchangeable parts of the production process?

The rise of industrialization and the principles of scientific management in the late 19th and early 20th centuries encouraged managers to view workers as interchangeable parts of the production process. This approach emphasized efficiency, standardization, and specialization, promoting the idea that workers could be easily replaced and trained to perform specific tasks. The assembly line model further reinforced this perspective by breaking down complex tasks into simpler, repetitive actions. Consequently, workers were seen more as cogs in a machine rather than as individuals with unique skills and contributions.