The Hawthorne Experiments

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Prashant Sahay

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

RESEARCH BACKGROUND

The nine-year studies (1924-1933) took place at the massive Hawthorne

Works plant outside of Chicago of Western Electric
One of the most advanced manufacturing facilities with 29,000 workers
producing equipment for AT&T.
Generated a mountain of documents

Experiments Conducted

Illumination Experiment

Relay Assembly Test Experiment

Massive Interviewing Programme

Bank Wiring Observation Group

Part I - Illumination Variation (1924-27)

Experiments were performed to find out the effect of different levels of

illumination (lighting) on productivity of labor

The brightness of the light was increased and decreased to determine the
effects of lighting on worker efficiency in three separate manufacturing
departments

Surprisingly, the productivity increased even when the level of illumination

was decreased

Part II - Relay Assembly Test Room Study (1927-1929)

Two small groups of six female telephone relay assemblers were selected,
each group was kept in separate rooms

Researchers were unsure if productivity increased in this experiment because

of the introduction of rest periods, shorter working hours, wage incentives,
the dynamics of a smaller group, or the special attention the women received
 From time to time, changes were made in working hours, rest periods, lunch
breaks, etc

They were allowed to choose their own rest periods and to give suggestions

Output increased in both the control rooms

Mental attitudes, proper supervision, and informal social relationships

experienced in a group were key to productivity and job satisfaction.

Part III - Mass Interviewing Programm (1928-1930)

21,000 employees were interviewed over a period of three years to find out
reasons for increased their productivity

The interview is now defined as a conversation in which the employee is

encouraged to express himself freely upon any topic of his own choosing.

Interviews, which averaged around 30 minutes, grew to 90 minutes or even

two hours in length

Part IV - Bank Wiring Observation Room Experiment (1932)

A group of 14 male workers in the bank wiring room were placed under
observation for six months

A worker's pay depended on the performance of the group as a whole

Its thought that the efficient workers would put pressure on the less efficient
workers to complete the work

The group established its own standards of output, and social pressure was
used to achieve the standards of output.

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 1920s and early 1930s helped to initiate a whole new approach to
human behaviour studies.

The final result was the organization of teamwork-that is, of sustained

cooperation leads to success.