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TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > Sociology > Elton Mayo and the Hawthorne Studies

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Elton Mayo was the founder of the Human Relations Movement and of Industrial Sociology. He carried out research at the Hawthorne Works of the Western Electric Company in Chicago.

He and his team of researchers took a group of six women and segregated them. They then altered their conditions of work in a number of ways, over a five year period, and observed the effects on production and the morale of the group. Over the period, changes such as new payment systems, rest breaks of different sorts and lengths, varying the length of the working day, and offering food and refreshments were tried. In almost all cases, productivity improved.

At the end of the experiment, Mayo felt that he had proven his point and closed it down, returning the women to their original conditions, a six day week, with long hours and no rest breaks or refreshments. Surprisingly, productivity in the group rose to the highest levels yet and Mayo had to re‑think his conclusions.

In the end, he realised that firstly, the women had felt important because they had been singled out. Secondly, the women had developed good relationships amongst each other and had been allowed to set their own work patterns. Thirdly, the case of relationship had made for a much more pleasant working environment.

Mayo decided that work satisfaction must depend, to a large extent, upon the informal social relationships between workers in a group and upon the social relationships between workers and their bosses. The effects of the group should never be underestimated.

Revision Question

1. Briefly outline the ideas that emerged from the 'human relations school' of management thought.
2. Discuss the relevance of these ideas to management at a time of rapid organisational change.
3. What types of training might be given to managers to improve their awareness and capabilities in dealing with human relations issues?

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