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Hawthorne StudiesHawthorne Studies

By Emily SligarBy Emily Sligar

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What will be covered:What will be covered:

a DefinitionDefinition

a Brainstorming ExerciseBrainstorming Exercise

a Study backgroundStudy background

a Explanation of findingsExplanation of findings

a

Real world exampleReal world examplea An exerciseAn exercise

a SummarySummary

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Hawthorne studies definedHawthorne studies defined

a A series of experiments in which the outputA series of experiments in which the output

of the workers was observed to increase asof the workers was observed to increase as

a result of improved treatment by theira result of improved treatment by theirmanagers.managers.

a Named for their site, at the Western ElectricNamed for their site, at the Western Electric

Company plant in Hawthorne, Illinois.Company plant in Hawthorne, Illinois.

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Brainstorming ExerciseBrainstorming Exercise

a What can a manager do to improveWhat can a manager do to improve

productivity?productivity?

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Study BackgroundStudy Background

a Hawthorne studies were conducted fromHawthorne studies were conducted from

1927 to 1932 by Harvard Business School1927 to 1932 by Harvard Business School

Professor Elton Mayo.Professor Elton Mayo.a Purpose of study was to examine what effectPurpose of study was to examine what effect

monotony and fatigue had on productivitymonotony and fatigue had on productivity

and how to control them with variables suchand how to control them with variables suchas rest breaks, work hours, temperature, andas rest breaks, work hours, temperature, and

humidity.humidity.

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Normal conditionsNormal conditions

a Under normal conditions, the work weekUnder normal conditions, the work week

was 48 hours, including Saturdays. Therewas 48 hours, including Saturdays. There

were no rest pauses.were no rest pauses.

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Experiment OneExperiment One

a The workers were put on piece-work forThe workers were put on piece-work for

eight weeks.eight weeks.

a Output went up.Output went up.

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Experiment TwoExperiment Two

a The workers were given two rest pauses,The workers were given two rest pauses,

five minutes each, in the morning andfive minutes each, in the morning and

afternoon for a period of five weeks.afternoon for a period of five weeks.a Output went up again.Output went up again.

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Experiment ThreeExperiment Three

a The rest pauses were increased to tenThe rest pauses were increased to ten

minutes each.minutes each.

a Output went up sharply.Output went up sharply.

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Experiment FourExperiment Four

a The workers were given six five minuteThe workers were given six five minute

breaks.breaks.

a Output fell slightly.Output fell slightly.

a The workers complained that the workThe workers complained that the work

rhythm was broken by frequent pauses.rhythm was broken by frequent pauses.

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Experiment FiveExperiment Five

a The two original rest pauses were put backThe two original rest pauses were put back

in place, and the workers were given a freein place, and the workers were given a free

hot meal by the company.hot meal by the company.a Output went up.Output went up.

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Experiment SixExperiment Six

a The workers were dismissed at 4:30 p.m.The workers were dismissed at 4:30 p.m.

instead of 5:00 p.m.instead of 5:00 p.m.

a Output went up.Output went up.

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Experiment SevenExperiment Seven

a The workers were dismissed at 4:00 p.m.The workers were dismissed at 4:00 p.m.

a Output remained the same.Output remained the same.

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Experiment EightExperiment Eight

a All improvements were taken away and theAll improvements were taken away and the

workers returned to their original workingworkers returned to their original working

conditions.conditions.a Output was the highest ever recorded!Output was the highest ever recorded!

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Explanation of FindingsExplanation of Findings

a The experimental group had considerableThe experimental group had considerable

freedom of movement compared to otherfreedom of movement compared to other

workers in the plant.workers in the plant.a The group developed an increased sense ofThe group developed an increased sense of

responsibility and discipline no longerresponsibility and discipline no longer

needed to come from a higher authority, itneeded to come from a higher authority, itcame from within the group.came from within the group.

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Real World ExampleReal World Example

a Workers improve their productivity whenWorkers improve their productivity when

they believe management is concerned withthey believe management is concerned with

their welfare and pay particular attention totheir welfare and pay particular attention tothem.them.

a Productivity can also be explained by payingProductivity can also be explained by paying

attention to the workers social environmentattention to the workers social environmentand informal groupings.and informal groupings.

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An ExerciseAn Exercise

a What kinds of issues affect yourWhat kinds of issues affect your

productivity?productivity?

a What can a manager do to increase orWhat can a manager do to increase or

decrease your productivity?decrease your productivity?

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SummarySummary

a Hawthorne studies definedHawthorne studies defined

a Study backgroundStudy background

a Explanation of findingsExplanation of findings

a Real world exampleReal world example