Hawthorn studies

Question 1

Who came up with the hawthorn studies

Answer 1

Elton Mayo

Question 2

What is the summary of the hawthorn studies

Answer 2

The importance of social factors on human behaviour to improve job satisfaction and productivity

Question 3

What conditions did Elton Mayo study look at (6)

Answer 3

• treating employees as a group
• consulting with employees
  -maintaining a friendly working environment
• giving rest periods
• providing a snack
• shorter working hours

Question 4

What did the hawthorn effect find (5)

Answer 4

Led to an increase in productivity due to an increase to social interactions, creation of a friendly environment and managers listening to employees

belonging to a group which appreciates you is a stronger motivator than money;

the social support offered by informal (unofficial) groups has a strong influence on motivation;

people are motivated by feeling specially selected by management;

the positive effect of being made to feel valued and part of a team is called the Hawthorne Effect.

Question 5

What the limitations of the hawthorn studies (3)

Answer 5

• the study had a narrow approach, this is because it was concentrated on a small, segregated area
• all the workers were female- back in the 1930s the women would want to have made this work and would just listen to male authority
• all experiments were carried out in a factory environment meaning there was a question as whether this could transfer to other work sectors

Question 6

What’s the relevance of hawthorn studies today (4)

Answer 6

• mayos work led to the development of human resource departments in most orders organisations, there is now support for employees
• useful in jobs where collaborative tasks are encourages , this is because it promotes team work
• useful industries where where work can’t be measured using the scientific approach
• useful in industries where creativity and initiative is important and valued

Question 7

What are factors that affect productivity in mayos study

Answer 7

• attention
• social interaction
• being listened too

Question 8

What is the conclusion of the hawthorn studies

Answer 8

Job satisfaction has increased due to social factors

Eg participation in decisions rather than financial incentives