Magyar Hírek, 1984 (37. évfolyam, 2-26. szám)
1984-05-12 / 10. szám
Dr. Ilona Tatai — General Manager Lady at work Hungarian Nobel prize laureats Things usually do not turn out he way one imagines. On my way out to the Taurus rubber works I was already thinking of the questions I would put to the general manager, who is a woman. What is it like to be in charge of a huge factory employing some 10,000 workers. No doubt a marked, masculine character. Has she, as a woman, ever experienced any sexist prejudice? How does she manage her private life besides her job? I was pretty satisfied with my questions until I found myself face to face with Dr Ilona Tatai. That’s when my prefabricated questions dispersed like the fog. Though she dressed in a feminine way and is in fact most attractive it was obvious from the start that I was not talking to a “lady” general manager, but to an executive, who made her way to the top by studv and hard work. “I have been with Taurus for twenty-five years, therefore I am really an old Taurus hand. I started as a factory worker, and completed a university course while earning my living using my hands. Once I held a diploma in chemical engineering, I worked first in the research laboratory, and later, after obtaining a nigher degree—my thesis was on the structural properties of rubber goods — I was appointed Chief Engineer of the tyre works. I have been the General Manager for nine years now.” Therefore Ilona Tatai became the boss at a time when a new broom swept through Hungarian industry: the oil crisis, emphasis on quality instead of quantity. The introduction of new technologies faced executives with newer and tougher nuts to crack. “Yes, that was so” — she nodded quietly — “the change in conditions determined the objectives of the works. Among these high priority belongs to guaranteeing that the country is supplied by a steady flow of rubber goods. Tyres for vans and tractors, tubes for the oil industry, belts for mines. Now some 12 per cent of camping equipment sold right around the world, and 40 per cent of rubber pipes used in oil exploration are made here, at Taurus.” I wondered what was the secret of Taurus success? What makes Taurus maintain a position among the most successful enterprises? “I think the explanation lies in the quality of the work force and of the technical and administrative staff. The strength of the Taurus Works lies in its skills. Continuity extended over generations means a lot. The Works celebrated its centenary not long ago, in 1982, and there is a family members of which have worked for generations for the factory. I believe that the fact that more than 60 per cent of our workforce have worked for us for more than five years means something.” Surely Taurus being one of the first enterprises to employ the services of consultants from abroad is also relevant? “Indeed it is” — Dr Tatai agreed — “and we were also amongst the first to introduce computer techniques in management; one of the first to use, product cost-analysis and other modern plant and work-management methods. Making these changes we used the advice of Western consultants.” Of course, a huge works is made up not only of machines, production processes, products and management. I wanted to know how Hr Tatai judged her own performance as an executive, mainly from the aspect of effect she had on her colleagues, and the role, which determined their morale. “I think we get on well perhaps because I ask as much, indeed even more, of myself, as of them. I also cooperate closely with others, whenever problems arise—and where is the place, with no problems? I never try to pass the buck but I clearly delegate responsibility, that is the sphere of authority of each executive, and define the means they have for coping with their job. The consequence is that there are no penumbras of ambiguity. I try to get involved only in the most important decisions. I never go over the heads of my deputies.” I showed an interest in the part she played in public life. “You must be aware that heads of large companies are invited whenever decisions at government level are being prepared. Well, when they require a woman in some of the committees” — an involuntary smile appeared on her face — “they pick me. The reason is that unfortunately there are only a few women top executives in Hungary, even though they could, on principle, fill any position. But women are averse to shouldering heavier responsibilities. Men, of course, are privileged in the home, in spite of equal rights. Woman take the decisions, and do most of the work at home even today. If a woman wants to make it she has less time available to her. She usually gets on the first rung of her career later, looses quite a few years giving birth, nursing, looking after her two or three children, and is able to retire five years earlier than men, who thus enjoy a temporal advantage, and better chances to make it professionally.” Do you think women executives are more under stress? “Every executive is subject to stress, indeed every one at work with a sense of responsibility is. The world is changing faster and faster, one must be able to respond to the challenges. What is perhaps the most difficult to get used to is that I seldom feel I completed something, because the next job, the one I have to get to grips with tomorrow already presses on me.” What of her own future, was the last question I put to ür Tatai. “I hope to retire at 55 as I am entitled to as a woman. Handing over these responsibilities is at least as important as carrying them out. I know of many talented young of executive ability.” MAGDA SOÓS Compared to the size of the population of the country, a more than fair number of Hungarian-born scientists won the Nobel prize; only one of them — Albert Szent- Györgyi — for work done in Hungary. György Hevesy, who was born in Hungary was awarded the Nobel prize as a citizen of Sweden, and the Hungarian origin of the others is also beyond doubt. They all have or had an excellent command of the Hungarian language, which is an occasion of joy whenever they visit their country of origin, which they do more and more frequently, seeing old friends and making new ones which is to the benefit of Hungarian intellectual life. Andrew Schally (Nobel prize for Medicine, 1977). The American scientist, the son of Hungarian parents, often visits Hungary where he also maintains close relations with a number of research centres. The wife of Paul Dirac, who obtained the Nobel prize for Physics in 1933, is also Hungarian, she is a sister of Eugene Wigner. Róbert Bárány M. D. 1876—1936, was given the Nobel prize for Medicine in 1914 for work on the physiology and pathology of the organ of equilibrium. György Békésy, a physicist, 1899— 1972 was awarded the Nobel prize for Medicine in 1961 for exploring the mechanism of hearing. Dennis (Dénes) Gábor, an engineer, (1 900—1979) was awarded the Nobel prize for Physics in 1971 for the development of holography. György Hevesy, a chemical engineer, (1885—1966), was awarded the Nobel prize for Chemistry in 1943, for working out the technology of tracing radioactive isotopes. Albert Szent-Györgyi, a biochemist, born in 1893, was awarded the Nobel prize for Medicine in 1937 for the isolation of Vitamin C. Eugene (Jenő) Wigner, a physicist, born in 1902, was awarded the Nobel prize for Physics in 1961 for the development of the theory of the atomic nucleus and elementary particles. Though no one is entitled to question the decisions of the Nobel prize Committee one cannot help wondering why the names of two more world-famous Hungarian scientists, those otJohn von Neumann, the mathematician and founder of the theory of computers, and Leó Szilárd, the physicist, father of the theory of chainreactions are missing from the list. E. Z PHOTOS VIKTOR GÁBOR 30
