The Hawthorne studies
The Hawthorne studies were a series of experiments conducted in the 1920s and 1930s at the Western Electric Company's Hawthorne Works factory in Chicago. The experiments aimed to understand the impact of working conditions on employee productivity and were carried out by psychologist Elton Mayo and his team. The first series of studies, known as the Illumination studies, focused on the impact of lighting on worker productivity. The results from his research let Mayo believe that attention and interest in the workers affected their productivity. The outcome of the Illumination studies led to a second series of experiments, known as the Relay Assembly Test Room Studies, which focused on the impact of social and psychological factors on worker productivity. The results of these experiments challenged the prevailing scientific management theories and showed that social and psychological factors play a critical role in determining worker productivity and satisfaction.
Contents |
The Studies
- Short introduction to the background of the studies, and why they were conducted in the first place
- The Hawthorne Studies were a series of experiments conducted in the 1920s and 1930s by researchers from Harvard University and Western Electric Company at the Hawthorne Works factory in Illinois. The studies aimed to investigate the relationship between working conditions and employee productivity.
- The Hawthorne Studies are considered a landmark in the development of organizational psychology and management theory.
- The studies were conducted during a time when the prevailing management philosophy was scientific management, which focused on maximizing efficiency and productivity through standardization and specialization of work.
The Illumination Rooms Studies
- Description of the studies
- outcome of the studies
The Assembly Room Studies
- description of why it is a continuation of the first study
- what they tested and why
- the outcome of the study
The Hawthorne Effect
- The outcome of the studies
- The term "Hawthorne effect" was coined to describe the phenomenon in which study participants alter their behaviour in response to being observed or studied
- The studies paved the way for the development of human relations and behavioural management theories, which emphasized the importance of communication, motivation, and social relationships in the workplace.
The Hawthorne Effect in Management
- How the studies is linked to modern management theory
Impact of Hawthorne Studies on management theory and practice
- Impact on scientific management theory.
- Importance of social and psychological factors
Application of Hawthorne Effect for management
- The relevance of Hawthorne Studies to project management:
- The Hawthorne Studies have been used to support the development of project management theories and practices that emphasize the importance of communication, teamwork, and leadership in achieving project success.
- How the Hawthorne Effect is applicable to managers
- The Hawthorne Studies have been used to design effective project teams that leverage the strengths of individual team members and foster positive team dynamics.
Critiques and Alternative Perspectives
- Introduction to the debate of the studies, why are there controversies surrounding them
Critiques of the Hawthorne Studies
- Work through criticism of the studies
- Controversies surrounding the studies and their findings
Critique of the enduring influence of the studies on management thinking
- Critique of the studies in regard to management practice
Alternative perspectives on management and employee motivation
- Alternative theories of management and motivation, such as self-determination theory and positive psychology, have challenged the assumptions of traditional management theories and emphasized the importance of intrinsic motivation, autonomy, and social connection in promoting employee well-being and productivity.
Conclusion
References
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
- ↑ McCarney, R., Warner, J., Iliffe, S., van Haselen, R., Griffin, M., & Fisher, P. (2007). Systematic review of the Hawthorne effect: New concepts are needed to study research participation effects. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 60(11), 1126-1133. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.04.008
- ↑ Sonnenfeld, J. (1983). Academic Learning, Worker Learning, and the Hawthorne Studies. Social Forces, 61(3), 904-909. University of North Carolina Press. ISSN: 1534-7605 and 0037-7732.
- ↑ Mannevuo, M. (2018). The riddle of adaptation: Revisiting the Hawthorne studies. Sociological Review, 66(6), 1242-1257. SAGE Publications Ltd. ISSN: 1467-954X and 0038-0261. DOI: 10.1177/0038026118755603
- ↑ Carey, A. (1967). The Hawthorne Studies: A Radical Criticism. American Sociological Review, 32(3), 403. American Sociological Association. ISSN: 1939-8271 and 0003-1224. DOI: 10.2307/2091087
- ↑ Sundstrom, E., McIntyre, M., Halfhill, T., & Richards, H. (2000). Work groups: From the Hawthorne studies to work teams of the 1990s and beyond. Group Dynamics, 4(1), 44-67. doi:10.1037/1089-2699.4.1.44
- ↑ Adair, J. G. (1984). The Hawthorne effect: A reconsideration of the methodological artifact. Journal of Applied Psychology, 69(2), 334-345. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.69.2.334
- ↑ Florence, P. S., Roethlisberger, F. J., & Dickson, W. J. (1941). Management and the worker. Economic Journal, 51(202/203), 306. https://doi.org/10.2307/2226267
- ↑ Kohnen, J. B. (1996). Creating High Performance Organizations: Practices and Results of Employee Involvement and Total Quality Management in Fortune 1000 Companies. Quality Management Journal, 4(1), 15-15. doi:10.1080/10686967.1996.11918765.
- ↑ KUNDA, G. (1995). Engineering Culture - Control and Commitment in a High-Tech Corporation. Organization Science, 6(2), 228-230. doi: 10.1287/orsc.6.2.228
