Taylorismus oder Kybernetik ?

The concept of “digital Taylorism” has become the blueprint for interpreting algorithmic labour control. This article examines which elements of Taylorism actually are adopted in algorithmic labour control and positions cybernetics as an alternative point of reference for historical interpretation. The author concludes that the concept of digital Taylorism adequately underscores the aspects of segmentation and simplification of the labour process and, in part, of information asymmetry. However, the concept cannot capture the central aspects of feedback, self-organisation and automation of middle management, as well as the instability of digitalised employment relationships, since these are essentially based on the cybernetic theory of control. Cybernetics is currently undergoing a revitalisation in the field of digital labour control, since, for the first time, the development of digital sensor technology makes the central cybernetic idea of permanent feedback technically feasible.