Organizations as Social Spaces

Question 1

List the new social person era theories/studies and their representatives:

Answer 1

• Hawthorne studies (Elton Mayo)
• Theory of human needs (Maslow)
• Two-factor theory (Frederick Herzberg)

Question 2

Describe the Hawthorne Studies by Elton Mayo:

Answer 2

+ Individuals improved their behavior in response to be observed
+ Regardless of working conditions, output increased
+ Highlight of the importance of informal relations (interviews, casual interaction listening)
+ New mix of managerial skills: counseling, motivating, leading, communicating
+ Technical skills alone are not sufficient
+ Need of understanding of human behaviour

Question 3

What is the Hawthorne Effect?

Answer 3

Is a type of reactivity in which individuals improve an aspect of their behaviour in response to the awareness of being observed.

Question 4

Describe the Theory of human needs by Maslow:

Answer 4

• Needs drive behavior
• People is motivated to achieve their needs
• The lower-level needs must be satisfied before the higher-order ones can influence behaviour/ Self-Actualization (training, advancement)
  / Esteem needs (recognition, status)
  / Belongingness needs (to groups, coworkers, clients)
  / Safety needs (benefits, job security)
  / Physiological needs (working conditions, salary)

Question 5

Describe the Two-Factor theory by F. Herzberg:

Answer 5

Motivators (job content, fulfillment cause satisfaction):
+ Achievement + Responsibility
+ Recognition + Personal growth

Hygiene factors (job context, fulfillment doesn’t cause satisfaction):

• Working conditions - Policies, supervision
• Pay, job security - Interpersonal relations

Question 6

Describe the Theory X:

Answer 6

Theory X (conventional view):
+ Active intervention needed (people is passive)
+ Rewards or punishment
+ Lead the people (lack of ambition, resist change)
+ “Hard but fair” management style (carrot and stick)

Question 7

Describe the Theory Y:

Answer 7

Theory Y (new management):
+ People is ambitious, self-motivated
+ People wants empowerment and self-fulfillment
+ Employees can achieve goals by also directing efforts toward the organization
+ Employees can exercise self-control

Question 8

What are Theory X and Y?

Answer 8

Both are perceptions that managers have of the workers, this influences the management style being used.

Theory X (conventional view = people is passive, needs guidance).
Theory Y (new management = people is ambitious, self-motivated).