Question

Essay #1 Directions

Part I:

Important Findings - Some say the Hawthorne Experiments were the real breakthrough (and/or birth) in Human Relations movement. Explain. Consider your textbook's insights on the topic. and I encourage you to do an Online PCC Library search or other research on the Hawthorne experiments for additional insights.

Part II:

Self Reflection - Imagine or remember a job where Theory X attitudes and assumptions would actually be more effective than Theory Y. Also, explain the difference between these two theories. Next, based on the assumptions of Theory X, show why the job you have chosen would work best with that set of attitudes. Reflect on your own life experiences to help inform your response.

Answer 1

The Hawthorne experiements were conducted in Hawthorne factory by Mayo and Roethlisberger to understand how using different incentives can increase productivity. They worked on managerial strategies using socio-psychological aspects of behavior. They found that workers worked better when they were part of a team and had a good, responsive manager. They also showed increased productivity if they received postive attention and feedback from the manager. They also found that employees worked better if they felt they were being observed.

The conclusion of the study was individuals perform better when in a team and if they are more satisfied with their working conditions and their manager. Therefore this is considered the birth of human relations movement because it opened doors for a variety of research related to productivity and behavior at the work place.

The human problems of an industrial civilization, 2nd edition, Boston, Mass: Harvard University, 1946 is a good book related to this.