Hawthorne StudiesHawthorne Studies

By Emily SligarBy Emily Sligar

What will be covered:What will be covered:

DefinitionDefinition Brainstorming ExerciseBrainstorming Exercise Study backgroundStudy background Explanation of findingsExplanation of findings Real world exampleReal world example An exerciseAn exercise SummarySummary

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.

Brainstorming ExerciseBrainstorming Exercise

What can a manager do to improve What can a manager do to improve productivity?productivity?

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 work hours, temperature, and humidity.humidity.

Normal conditionsNormal conditions

Under normal conditions, the work Under normal conditions, the work week was 48 hours, including week was 48 hours, including Saturdays. There were no rest Saturdays. There were no rest pauses.pauses.

Experiment OneExperiment One

The workers were put on piece-The workers were put on piece-work for eight weeks.work for eight weeks.

Output went up.Output went up.

Experiment TwoExperiment Two

The workers were given two rest The workers were given two rest pauses, five minutes each, in the pauses, five minutes each, in the morning and afternoon for a period morning and afternoon for a period of five weeks.of five weeks.

Output went up again.Output went up again.

Experiment ThreeExperiment Three

The rest pauses were increased to The rest pauses were increased to ten minutes each.ten minutes each.

Output went up sharply.Output went up sharply.

Experiment FourExperiment Four

The workers were given six five The workers were given six five minute breaks.minute breaks.

Output fell slightly.Output fell slightly. The workers complained that the The workers complained that the

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

Experiment FiveExperiment Five

The two original rest pauses were The two original rest pauses were put back in place, and the workers put back in place, and the workers were given a free hot meal by the were given a free hot meal by the company.company.

Output went up.Output went up.

Experiment SixExperiment Six

The workers were dismissed at The workers were dismissed at 4:30 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m.4:30 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m.

Output went up.Output went up.

Experiment SevenExperiment Seven

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

Output remained the same.Output remained the same.

Experiment EightExperiment Eight

All improvements were taken away All improvements were taken away and the workers returned to their and the workers returned to their original working conditions.original working conditions.

Output was the highest ever Output was the highest ever recorded!recorded!

Explanation of FindingsExplanation of Findings

The experimental group had The experimental group had considerable freedom of movement considerable freedom of movement compared to other workers in the compared to other workers in the plant. plant.

The group developed an increased The group developed an increased sense of responsibility and discipline sense of responsibility and discipline no longer needed to come from a no longer needed to come from a higher authority, it came from within higher authority, it came from within the group.the group.

Real World ExampleReal World Example

Workers improve their productivity Workers improve their productivity when they believe management is when they believe management is concerned with their welfare and concerned with their welfare and pay particular attention to them.pay particular attention to them.

Productivity can also be explained Productivity can also be explained by paying attention to the workers’ by paying attention to the workers’ social environment and informal social environment and informal groupings.groupings.

An ExerciseAn Exercise

What kinds of issues affect your What kinds of issues affect your productivity?productivity?

What can a manager do to What can a manager do to increase or decrease your increase or decrease your productivity?productivity?

SummarySummary

Hawthorne studies definedHawthorne studies defined Study backgroundStudy background Explanation of findingsExplanation of findings Real world exampleReal world example