Page 81 - E2 Integrated Workbook STUDENT 2018

Leadership and management

Human relations school

4.1 Mayo

Demonstrated the ‘experimenter effect’ and the importance of groups.

In the Hawthorne investigations, Over a period of five years Mayo’s
team altered the worker’s working conditions and then monitored how
the working conditions affected the workers morale and productivity.
The changes in working conditions included changes in working hours,
rest breaks, lighting, humidity, and temperature.

At the end of the five year period, the working conditions, reverted back
to the conditions before the experiment began. Unexpectedly the
workers morale and productivity rose to levels higher than before and
during the experiments. This led to the conclusion that the need for
recognition, security and sense of belonging is more important in
determining workers’ morale and productivity than the physical
conditions under which he/she works.

4.2 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Self-
actualisation

Ego/Esteem

Social/Belonging

Safety/Security

Basic/physiological

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