The Human Relations Movement began amongst the Hawthorne Experiments. They were conducted at Western Electrical Works inward USA, b/w 1924-1932.
Four Parts of Hawthorne Studies / Experiments
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Part I - Illumination Experiments (1924-27)
These experiments were performed to detect out the outcome of dissimilar levels of illumination (lighting) on productivity of labour. The brightness of the lite was increased in addition to decreased to detect out the outcome on the productivity of the exam group. Surprisingly, the productivity increased fifty-fifty when the degree of illumination was decreased. It was concluded that factors other than lite were also important.
Part II - Relay Assembly Test Room Study (1927-1929)
Under these exam 2 pocket-size groups of half dozen woman mortal telephone relay assemblers were selected. Each grouping was kept inward carve upward rooms. From fourth dimension to time, changes were made inward working hours, residual periods, tiffin breaks, etc. They were allowed to conduct their ain residual periods in addition to to laissez passer on suggestions. Output increased inward both the command rooms. It was concluded that social human relationship amidst workers, participation inward decision-making, etc. had a greater outcome on productivity than working conditions.
Part III - Mass Interviewing Programme (1928-1930)
21,000 employees were interviewed over a menstruum of 3 years to detect out reasons for increased productivity. It was concluded that productivity tin endure increased if workers are allowed to speak freely almost matters that are of import to them.
Part IV - Bank Wiring Observation Room Experiment (1932)
A grouping of xiv manly mortal workers inward the banking concern wiring room were placed nether observation for half dozen months. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 worker's pay depended on the surgical operation of the grouping every bit a whole. The researchers idea that the efficient workers would seat pressure level on the less efficient workers to consummate the work. However, it was found that the grouping established its ain standards of output, in addition to social pressure level was used to accomplish the standards of output.
Conclusions of Hawthorne Studies / Experiments
The conclusions derived from the Hawthorne Studies were every bit follows :-
- The social in addition to psychological factors are responsible for workers' productivity in addition to labor satisfaction. Only skillful physical working weather condition are non plenty to increment productivity.
- The informal relations amidst workers influence the workers' demeanor in addition to surgical operation to a greater extent than than the formal relations inward the organisation.
- Employees volition perform improve if they are allowed to participate inward decision-making affecting their interests.
- Employees volition also locomote to a greater extent than efficiently, when they believe that the management is interested inward their welfare.
- When employees are treated amongst abide by in addition to dignity, their surgical operation volition improve.
- Financial incentives lonely cannot increment the performance. Social in addition to Psychological needs must also endure satisfied inward club to increment productivity.
- Good communication betwixt the superiors in addition to subordinates tin improve the relations in addition to the productivity of the subordinates.
- Special attending in addition to liberty to limited their views volition improve the surgical operation of the workers.
Criticism of Hawthorne Studies / Experiments
The Hawthorne Experiments are mainly criticised on the next grounds :-
- Lacks Validity : The Hawthorne experiments were conducted nether controlled situations. These findings volition non locomote inward existent setting. The workers nether observation knew almost the experiments. Therefore, they may accept improved their surgical operation entirely for the experiments.
- More Importance to Human Aspects : The Hawthorne experiments gives every bit good much importance to human aspects. Human aspects lonely cannot improve production. Production also depends on technological in addition to other factors.
- More Emphasis on Group Decision-making : The Hawthorne experiments placed every bit good much emphasis on grouping decision-making. In existent situation, private decision-making cannot endure totally neglected peculiarly when quick decisions are required in addition to at that spot is no fourth dimension to consult others.
- Over Importance to Freedom of Workers : The Hawthorne experiments gives a lot of importance to liberty of the workers. It does non laissez passer on importance to the constructive purpose of the supervisors. In reality every bit good much of liberty to the workers tin lower downwardly their surgical operation or productivity.