Hawthorne Works

Definition

The Hawthorne Works was a factory owned by the Western Electric Company in Cicero, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. It was the site of a series of experiments conducted in the late 1920s and early 1930s that had a significant impact on the field of organizational behavior and management.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Hawthorne studies were a series of experiments conducted at the Hawthorne Works between 1924 and 1932 that examined the effects of various working conditions on employee productivity.
2. The initial experiments focused on the impact of physical working conditions, such as lighting and rest breaks, on worker output, but the researchers found that productivity increased regardless of the changes made.
3. Subsequent experiments explored the role of social and psychological factors, such as group dynamics, supervision, and employee motivation, in influencing worker behavior and performance.
4. The Hawthorne studies challenged the prevailing scientific management approach, which emphasized efficiency and control, and instead highlighted the importance of considering the human element in organizational management.
5. The findings of the Hawthorne studies led to the development of the human relations approach to management, which emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the social and psychological needs of employees.

Review Questions

• Describe the key purpose and findings of the Hawthorne studies conducted at the Hawthorne Works.
  • The Hawthorne studies, conducted at the Hawthorne Works factory in the late 1920s and early 1930s, were a series of experiments that aimed to examine the effects of various working conditions on employee productivity. The initial experiments focused on physical factors, such as lighting and rest breaks, but the researchers found that productivity increased regardless of the changes made. This led them to shift their focus to the role of social and psychological factors, such as group dynamics, supervision, and employee motivation, in influencing worker behavior and performance. The findings of the Hawthorne studies challenged the prevailing scientific management approach and highlighted the importance of considering the human element in organizational management, ultimately contributing to the development of the human relations approach.
• Explain the concept of the Hawthorne effect and its significance in the context of the Hawthorne studies.
  • The Hawthorne effect is a phenomenon observed during the Hawthorne studies, where individuals modified their behavior in response to being observed or studied, rather than in response to changes in their environment or working conditions. This effect suggests that the mere act of studying and observing workers can influence their behavior and performance, independent of the specific interventions or changes being implemented. The Hawthorne effect was a crucial finding of the studies, as it challenged the prevailing assumption that worker productivity was solely determined by physical and economic factors. Instead, it highlighted the importance of social and psychological factors in shaping employee behavior and organizational outcomes, laying the groundwork for the human relations approach to management.
• Analyze the broader impact of the Hawthorne studies on the field of organizational behavior and management.
  • The Hawthorne studies had a significant and lasting impact on the field of organizational behavior and management. By challenging the scientific management approach and emphasizing the importance of social and psychological factors in the workplace, the studies paved the way for the human relations movement. This shift in perspective led to a greater focus on understanding and addressing the needs and motivations of employees, rather than solely optimizing efficiency and control. The findings of the Hawthorne studies also contributed to the development of various management theories and practices, such as participative decision-making, employee-centered leadership, and the recognition of informal group dynamics within organizations. The lasting legacy of the Hawthorne studies is their role in shaping our understanding of the complex interplay between individual, social, and organizational factors that influence employee behavior and organizational performance.

Related terms

Hawthorne Effect:

The Hawthorne effect is a phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior in response to being observed or studied, rather than in response to changes in their environment or working conditions.

Elton Mayo:

Elton Mayo was an Australian psychologist and organizational theorist who led the Hawthorne studies and is considered the founder of the human relations movement in management.

Human Relations Approach: The human relations approach to management emphasizes the importance of social and psychological factors in the workplace, such as group dynamics, leadership, and employee motivation, rather than just focusing on technical and economic factors.