Behaviour Theory of Organizational behaviour

1. Behavioural Theories
Asad Kareem Usmani

2. Behavioural Theories
Human Relation Theory
Human Behaviour Theory

3. HUMAN RELATION THEORY
❖ There was an increased need to understand human
behaviour at work place.
❖ The credit of development of human relation approach
is given to Elton Mayo.
❖ Elton Mayo and colleagues conducted experiments
called Hawthorne Experiments at Hawthorne plant of
Western Electric Company.
❖ This was the first ever intensive and systematic study
of human factor at work place.

4. The Hawthorne Experiments
❖ Conducted at Hawthorne Plant of Western
Electric company. It manufactured telephone
system bell.
❖ The company employed 30,000 people at the
time of experiments.
❖ The research was conducted in four phases
from 1924 to 1932

5. Phases of the experiments
❖ Phase I : Illumination Experiments
❖ Phase II: Relay Assembly Test Room Study
❖ Phase III: Mass Interview Program
❖ Phase IV: Bank wiring observation room
experiment

6. Phase I :Illumination experiments
❖ Effect of lighting(illumination) was studied on productivity of two
groups, One for which lighting condition were changed and one
for which lighting condition remained constant.
❖ For the first group, when lighting condition was improved the
productivity went up. When lighting condition was reduced there
was no reduction in productivity until the lighting was reduced to
a very low level and affected visibility.
❖ For the second group lighting was maintained at constant level,
the productivity gradually increased.
❖ It was concluded that lighting do not have any impact on
productivity and there was something else that was affecting it.

7. Phase II: Relay Assembly Test Room Study
❖ A small group of six girls were asked to work in a test room.
❖ Changes in working condition were tried as, less working hours, better
working condition, better wages, proper rest periods, free interaction
among members.
❖ There was friendly and informal supervision.
❖ The productivity increased, however when these condition were
withdrawn, the productivity did not reduced.
❖ It was concluded that there was something other than these factors that
was responsible for productivity.
❖ There was social & psychological need of workers like sense of
acceptance, recognition, participation in decision making, freedom to
work and informal relationship were responsible for this.

8. Phase III: Mass Interview Program
❖ Mayo and colleagues conducted interview of more than 20,000 employee.
❖ The interview was conducted to know about their superior, jobs and job condition.
❖ The objective was to determine employee’s attitude towards company, supervision,
remuneration.
❖ The method was kept informal
❖ Responses highlighted that if employees interacted with mangers openly their
morale and productivity went up.
❖ It was also found that:
‣ Worker’s behaviour was influenced by group behaviour.
‣ The workers interpret situations per their position in the organisation.
‣ The social demands of worker are influenced by social experience.

9. Phase IV: Bank wiring observation room experiment
❖ A group of 14 workers were selected to attach wires to switches for some equipment that
was used in telephone exchange.
❖ No changes in conditions were made.
❖ Hourly wage rate and bonus based on performance were announced by the
management.
❖ It was observed that without formal declaration workers made standard target that was
less than the company’s target.
❖ Social pressure was created to ensure no member exceeded the group target.
❖ The following reasons were identified for restricted output:
‣ If worker produced more some would be turned out as less employee would be
needed
‣ They feared that if they achieved the target management would increase target.
‣ They supported slow workers.

10. Results from the Experiments
❖ There is no direct relation between productivity and physical
factors.
❖ Worker is not motivated by financial incentives only, he is a ‘social
man’ with strong desire for interaction and non financial incentives.
❖ Informal groups are as important as the formal groups and people
behave according to group norms.
❖ Work is group activity and not just task performed by workers.
❖ Worker work like a family and there are no conflicts among them.
❖ Non financial incentives like morale, security, recognition and
praise are important.

11. HUMAN BEHAVIOUR THEORY
❖ The theory is based in the work of behavioural scientist
Maslow and McGregor.
❖ It apply the concepts of Psychology, Sociology and
Anthropology to the work place.
❖ The behaviour science approach emphasise on scientific
research as basis of developing theories about human
behaviour in the organisation.
❖ The behavioural scientist believe that people have
different needs, values, attitudes and perception and
therefore acts differently in same situation.

12. Features of Behavioural Theory
• Emphasises on participative and group decision making rather than
individual decision making.
• Focus on self control and self direction.
• It advocated positive measures to improve performance.
• People behaviour in group is different to their individual behaviour.
• There is huge impact on informal group on formal functioning and
efficiency.
• Human behaviour is need based and it is because of this that each
person behave differently under same situation.
• Conflict is good for human development.