9.2 The Hawthorne Studies

The Hawthorne studies revolutionized our understanding of worker motivation. These experiments, conducted in the 1920s and 1930s, revealed that social factors and psychological needs play a crucial role in employee productivity, challenging the prevailing focus on economic incentives.

The studies introduced the Hawthorne effect, showing how attention from management can boost performance. They also highlighted the importance of social systems and group dynamics in the workplace, paving the way for the human relations movement and new theories of motivation in organizational behavior.

The Hawthorne Studies and Their Impact on Understanding Worker Motivation

Key findings of Hawthorne studies

Top images from around the web for Key findings of Hawthorne studies

• 

  Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Understanding the Business Environment | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Strategic Analysis of the Motivation on Employees Productivity: A Compensation Benefits ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Understanding the Business Environment | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Key findings of Hawthorne studies

• 

  Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Understanding the Business Environment | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Strategic Analysis of the Motivation on Employees Productivity: A Compensation Benefits ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory | Organizational Behavior and Human Relations View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Understanding the Business Environment | OpenStax Intro to Business View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Series of experiments conducted at Hawthorne Works of Western Electric Company in 1920s and 1930s
  • Researchers initially studied effects of physical conditions on worker productivity
    • Manipulated lighting levels to observe changes in output
  • Unexpected findings shifted focus towards social and psychological factors influencing worker motivation and productivity
• Social factors, such as group dynamics and relationships with supervisors, significantly impact worker motivation and productivity
• Workers motivated by more than just economic incentives (pay, benefits)
• Attention from researchers and management can lead to increased productivity (Hawthorne effect)
• Highlighted importance of social and psychological factors in the workplace
• Challenged prevailing notion that workers primarily motivated by economic incentives
• Led to greater emphasis on human relations and social aspects of work in management practices and theories

Hawthorne effect and employee performance

• Hawthorne effect: individuals modify behavior in response to being observed or receiving attention
  • In Hawthorne studies, workers' productivity increased when they received attention from researchers and management, regardless of changes in physical conditions
• Suggests employee performance influenced by factors beyond physical conditions and economic incentives
• Providing attention, recognition, and a sense of being valued can lead to improved employee performance
• Managers should be aware of potential impact of Hawthorne effect on employee behavior and performance
• Regularly engaging with employees, providing feedback, and showing interest in their work can contribute to increased motivation and productivity
• Managers should be cautious when interpreting results of workplace studies or interventions, as Hawthorne effect may influence outcomes
  • Workplace observation can inadvertently affect employee behavior and productivity

Social needs vs economic factors

• Before Hawthorne studies, prevailing view was that workers primarily motivated by economic factors (wages, financial incentives)
  • Influenced by theories like Frederick Taylor's scientific management, which emphasized efficiency and monetary rewards
• Hawthorne studies revealed social factors played significant role in worker motivation and productivity
  • Showed workers' relationships with colleagues and supervisors, sense of belonging and recognition, were important motivators
  • Challenged notion that workers solely driven by economic self-interest
• Shift in focus from economic factors to social needs had significant implications for management practices and theories
  • Human relations movement emerged, emphasizing importance of understanding and addressing workers' social and psychological needs
  • Managers began to recognize value of fostering positive relationships, promoting teamwork, and creating supportive work environment
• Paved way for development of theories (Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory) that further explored role of social and psychological factors in workplace motivation

Social Systems and Group Dynamics in the Workplace

• Hawthorne studies revealed importance of informal work groups within organizations
  • These groups develop their own norms, values, and social structures
• Researchers discovered that social systems within the workplace significantly influence employee behavior and productivity
• Understanding group dynamics became crucial for effective management
  • Managers needed to consider how work groups form, interact, and impact overall organizational performance
• Employee motivation was found to be closely tied to social factors and group membership
• Workplace psychology emerged as an important field of study, focusing on how social and psychological factors affect work behavior and performance