The Hawthorne effect in the modern workplace

Through scientific experiments conducted between the 20s and 30s at the Western Electric Company’s Hawthorne Works factory of Chicago, Elton Mayo studied the effects that the work environment has on productivity. The aim of the studies was to understand how the productivity and performances of a group of workers can be influenced by factors such as lighting, scheduled breaks and the length of the working day. The results obtained showed that participating in an experiment made some people much more productive and performing. This is because in the employees there was a great desire to be considered and recognized. Hawthorne studies can therefore be considered the starting point that led to the development of contemporary theories of work organization and human resource management. Despite several criticisms of this theory, it remains a cornerstone of management and the Hawthorne effect is exploited in modern workplaces every day.