Hawthrone Experiments introduction Western Electric Hawthorne Works in Chicago by Professor Elton Mayo to examine relation between productivity

y and environmental conditions. With a secondary aim to effect fatigue and monotony had on job productivity.

Sequence of events Part 1: Illumination tests From the fall of 1924 to the spring of 1927 illumination tests(tests where illumination was a factor) were conducted along with two more governing factors(increased supervision and a sense of competition b/w groups) Workers were notified of the tests in order to attempt to control interference from human factors. At times Production increased in each test period and at times decreased and increased in moonlight Lack of a consistent correlation between lighting levels and product output. Eg output declined in the afternoon.

Part 2: Relay assembly The effect rest periods and hours of work would have on Productivity. Eight women volunteered for the tests along With a male observer to maintain working conditions and supervise the test subjects Health checks every Six weeks to evaluate impact on health. Pay increased followed by introduction of rest periods along with short work days and shorter weeks. Productivity increased in initial years initially and then remained constant. Results yet not conclusive. Scientists realized that the workers attitude within the group were also a major factor influencing productivity, which needs to be proved. This need gave way to part 3.

Part 3: Bank Wiring The purpose of the bank-wiring tests was to observe and study social relationships and social structures within a group. Where a researcher was placed into the test room as an observer and the workers were interviewed on an intermittent basis on their likes and dislikes.

Results of experiments They concluded factors such as lighting, hours of work, rest periods, bonus incentives, and supervision affected workers, but the attitudes of the employees experiencing the factors were of greater significance. What they found was a complex battery of attitudes influenced by outside factors such as conditions at home or within the community, as well as one's social situation at work

Final conclusions Social world for an adult is primarily patterned about work. Informal groups at work are strong social controls over the work habits and attitudes of a worker Need for recognition, security and sense of belonging. Attitudes and effectiveness are conditioned by social demands.

How to use study in organizations Cooperation and communication with coworkers. Create an atmosphere of working as a team.

Expectation from HRM w.r.t howthrome studies From the POV of 1) Interviewer a. Provide insights on the likes and dislikes of a worker 2) Superviser a. Make sure that the desired production is reached 3) Manager a. Gain active support from the workers and listen to them 4) Team member a. Incept a feeling of Cooperation, communication, sense of belonging.

Aspects of study Worker Suggestions, likes and dislikes management Transfer of power to workers, knowing their workers Motivation Incentives Productivity Increase profits

Real world example: Swedish Case Pay system didnt fit the structure of jobs and organization. Two years later an incentive system was added, productivity went up 45%.