Hawthorne Studies a viewHawthorne Studies a view

What will be covered:What will be covered:

Hawthorne studies definedHawthorne studies defined A series of experiments in which A series of experiments in which

the output of the workers was the output of the workers was observed to increase as a result of observed to increase as a result of improved treatment by their improved treatment by their managers.managers.

Named for their site, at the Named for their site, at the Western Electric Company plant in Western Electric Company plant in Hawthorne, Illinois.Hawthorne, Illinois.

Varying rest periods

Short work days/weeks

Financial incentives

Fixed rest periods

Fixed work days/weeks No financial incentives

Test Group Control Group

Study BackgroundStudy Background Hawthorne studies were conducted Hawthorne studies were conducted

from 1927 to 1932 by Harvard from 1927 to 1932 by Harvard Business School Professor Elton Mayo.Business School Professor Elton Mayo.

Purpose of study was to examine what Purpose of study was to examine what effect monotony and fatigue had on effect monotony and fatigue had on productivity and how to control them productivity and how to control them with variables such as rest breaks, with variables such as rest breaks, work hours, temperature, and humidity.work hours, temperature, and humidity.

Prof. of Industrial research dept. at Harvard University

Hawthorne EffectHawthorne Effect

The possibility that workers who The possibility that workers who receive special attention will receive special attention will perform better simply because perform better simply because they received that attention. they received that attention.