The Hawthorne Studies were a series of experiments conducted from 1927 to 1932 at the Western Electric Company plant in Hawthorne, Illinois by Professor Elton Mayo from Harvard Business School. The purpose was to examine the effects of factors like monotony, fatigue, rest breaks, work hours, and environmental conditions on worker productivity. The studies found that productivity increased for workers who received improved treatment and attention from managers, regardless of the specific changes made, in what became known as the Hawthorne Effect.

1. Hawthorne Studies a viewHawthorne Studies a view

3. What will be covered:What will be covered:

4. Hawthorne studies definedHawthorne studies defined
 A series of experiments in which the outputA series of experiments in which the output
of the workers was observed to increase asof the workers was observed to increase as
a result of improved treatment by theira result of improved treatment by their
managers.managers.
 Named for their site, at the Western ElectricNamed for their site, at the Western Electric
Company plant in Hawthorne, Illinois.Company plant in Hawthorne, Illinois.

5. Varying rest periods
Short work days/weeks
Financial incentives
Fixed rest periods
Fixed work days/weeks
No financial incentives
Test Group Control Group

6. Study BackgroundStudy Background
 Hawthorne studies were conducted fromHawthorne studies were conducted from
1927 to 1932 by Harvard Business School1927 to 1932 by Harvard Business School
Professor Elton Mayo.Professor Elton Mayo.
 Purpose of study was to examine whatPurpose of study was to examine what
effect monotony and fatigue had oneffect monotony and fatigue had on
productivity and how to control them withproductivity and how to control them with
variables such as rest breaks, work hours,variables such as rest breaks, work hours,
temperature, and humidity.temperature, and humidity.

7. Prof. of Industrial research dept. at Harvard University

8. Hawthorne EffectHawthorne Effect
The possibility that workers who receiveThe possibility that workers who receive
special attention will perform better simplyspecial attention will perform better simply
because they received that attention.because they received that attention.