HAWTHORNE EXPERIMENTS

Objective

A human problem to be brought to a human solution requires human data and human tools.

INTRODUCTION

The Hawthorne studies were conducted in order to find out the role of human resource in increasing the production of an organization.

A series of experiments in which the output of the workers was observed to increase as a result of improved treatment by their managers.

A series of experiments were performed which were :

Illumination Experiment Relay Assembly Test Experiments Bank Wiring Observation Group

Illumination Studies

To find out the relationship of the quality and quantity of illumination to

the efficiency of industrial workers .

• Result :– Higher worker productivity and satisfaction at all light levels– Worker productivity was stopped as the light levels reached

moonlight intensity.

• Conclusions: – Light intensity has no conclusive effect on output– Increased productivity was due to workers’ receiving attention– Too many variables had not been controlled in the experiments

• Concept of “Hawthorne Effect” was created

Different steps in experiment

Experiment 1 :-

Intensity of illumination increased – increase productivity for both the groups

Experiment 2 :-

Intensity of illumination decreased – productivity increased .

Experiment 3:-

Intensity of illumination gets to the level of moonlight – productivity decreased.

Contd.

• Result :– Higher worker productivity and satisfaction at all light

levels– Worker productivity was stopped as the light levels

reached moonlight intensity.

• Conclusions: – Light intensity has no conclusive effect on output– Increased productivity was due to workers’ receiving

attention– Too many variables had not been controlled in the

experiments

• Concept of “Hawthorne Effect” was created

RELAY ASSEMBLY TEST EXPERIMENT

Relay Assembly Test Experiments Experiments were conducted by Elton Mayo

Manipulated factors of production to measure effect on output: Length of Work Day & Work Week Use of Rest Periods Company Sponsored Meals

Results: Higher output and greater employee satisfaction

Conclusions: Positive effects even with negative influences – workers’ output will

increase as a response to attention Strong social bonds were created within the test group. Workers are

influenced by need for recognition, security and sense of belonging

Mass Interviewing Experiment

Mass Interview Program

Conducted many interviews .

Objective was to explore information, which could be used to improve supervisory training.

Initially used the method of Direct Questioning and changed to Non Directive.

Different point of views

Mass Interview Program (Contd) - The worker was satisfied/dissatisfied depending upon how he regarded his

social status in the company.

- Social groups created big impact on work.

- Production was restricted by workers regardless all financial incentives offered as group pressure are on individual workers.

• Results

- Merely giving an opportunity to talk and express grievances would increase the morale.

- Complaints were symptoms of deep-rooted disturbances.

-Workers are governed by experience obtained from both inside and outside the company.

Bank Wiring Observation Group

Analyze the functioning of small group & impact on individual behavior including wireman , soldermen and inspectors.

Hourly wage rate – average output of each worker. Bonus – average group output. To earn more –

produce more. But To earn bonus – help each other Workers decided

target for themselves – lower than companies.

Contd.

Reason for restricted output :-

1.Fear for unemployment.

2.Fear of raising the standard.

3.Protection of slower workers.

Result :- Workers sets certain norms.

Informal relationship – imp. factor

CONCLUSION

• The Hawthorne studies have had a remarkable impact on management in organizations and how workers react to various situations.

• The research carried out at the Western Electrics Hawthorne plant during the 1920’s and early 1930’s helped to initiate a whole new approach to human behaviour studies.

• Workers are not isolated , unrelated individuals they are social animals and should be treated as such

• The final result was “the organization of teamwork-that is, ofsustained cooperation leads to success”

Thank You.