Increasing Human Efficiency in Business, a contribution to the psychology of business

Walter Dill Scott's Increasing Human Efficiency in Business presents a pioneering roadmap for improving workplace productivity through applied psychology. Written in the early 20th century by one of the founders of organizational psychology, Scott translates psychological principles into concrete methods for managers and workers alike. The book surveys practical levers—imitation, competition, loyalty, concentration, wages, pleasure, the “love of the game,” relaxation, and deliberate practice—showing how each can raise performance and make experience count. Scott blends theory and case-based guidance on judgment formation, habit development, and the rate of improvement, framing efficiency not as a mechanical problem but as a human one shaped by motivation, environment, and training. His historical perspective reveals how modern business practices evolved from careful study of human behavior, making this work both a period piece and a source of enduring insights. Ideal for managers, HR professionals, students of psychology, and anyone interested in workplace productivity, this psychology-driven classic offers timeless strategies for getting the best from people without sacrificing their well-being.