The Behavioral Perspective
Hathrone Experiments
Faculty – Chandra Shekhar Pandey
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• behavioural management perspective placed much more emphasis on individual attitudes and behaviours and on group processes, and recognized the importance of behavioural processes in the workplace.
Why this theory came into existence? The background :
• Failure of classical management theories
• Unionization
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Hathrone studies
Hathrone studies were conducted by Elton mayo and his associates.
These experiments were conducted in Western Electric’s Hathrone plant near Chicago (1927-32)
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The four experiments of Mayo
1. Illumination experiment
2. The relay assembly test room
3. Interview experiments
4. Bank wiring observation
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1.Illumination experiment
The productivity of workers increased both the times when light was increased or decreased.
It means there is something other than physical factors which is affecting productivity.
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2. The relay assembly test room experiment
Friendly observation and value given to employees resulted in higher productivity
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3. Interview experiments
Revealed the importance of listening to the employees feelings, problems and use of counseling interviewes.
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4. Bank wiring observation
Informal organization
Rate busters
Rate chiselers
Group pressure on individual workers worked stronger than financial incentives.
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Importance of Hawthrone experiments
• Impetus to human relations approach, personnel management and O.B
• Focus on workers and people’s perspective
• Informal organizations