Hawthorn Studies
What have been some of the main criticisms of the Hawthorne studies? Can the findings of the Hawthorne studies validly be used in Asian workplaces today?
Introduction
The Hawthorne studies was a series of studies that took place at Hawthorne Works, Chicago that manufacture telephones equipments for American Telephone and Telegraph company (AT&T).
It involves a series of investigations that tap into the importance of work behavior and attitudes of a variety of physical, economic, and social variables (Carey 1967). To prove this theories right, an investigation comprising of five stages were conducted throughout 1927 to 1932 where the main purpose was to find out the factors affecting productivity. This includes the Illumination study, Relay-assembly Test Room Study, MICA Splitting Test Room, the Interviewing Program and lastly, the Bank-Wiring Observation Room. In this essay, I will be briefly explain the different experiments and also discuss the extent of validity of the Hawthorne Effect on Asian workplaces as well as the criticism arising from it.
Illumination Study
In 1924, the illumination study was conducted where the objective was to find whether the effect of environmental changes had a positive effect on output, in this case, the light intensity. Results shown that there was no direct relationship between the illumination of the workplace and productivity. In another word, there was still an increase in productivity regardless of the change in illumination in the workplace.
Some argued that there was a lack of validity in terms of ‘real-life’ settings as the experiments were conducted under controlled situations. The workers also knew that they were being placed under observations for an experiment. This could in turn increase their productivity level as a result of pleasing their superiors and maintaining their job.
Relay-assembly Test Room
Following the illumination study experiment, a group of female workers(assemblers) were chosen from a regular
Introduction
The Hawthorne studies was a series of studies that took place at Hawthorne Works, Chicago that manufacture telephones equipments for American Telephone and Telegraph company (AT&T).
It involves a series of investigations that tap into the importance of work behavior and attitudes of a variety of physical, economic, and social variables (Carey 1967). To prove this theories right, an investigation comprising of five stages were conducted throughout 1927 to 1932 where the main purpose was to find out the factors affecting productivity. This includes the Illumination study, Relay-assembly Test Room Study, MICA Splitting Test Room, the Interviewing Program and lastly, the Bank-Wiring Observation Room. In this essay, I will be briefly explain the different experiments and also discuss the extent of validity of the Hawthorne Effect on Asian workplaces as well as the criticism arising from it.
Illumination Study
In 1924, the illumination study was conducted where the objective was to find whether the effect of environmental changes had a positive effect on output, in this case, the light intensity. Results shown that there was no direct relationship between the illumination of the workplace and productivity. In another word, there was still an increase in productivity regardless of the change in illumination in the workplace.
Some argued that there was a lack of validity in terms of ‘real-life’ settings as the experiments were conducted under controlled situations. The workers also knew that they were being placed under observations for an experiment. This could in turn increase their productivity level as a result of pleasing their superiors and maintaining their job.
Relay-assembly Test Room
Following the illumination study experiment, a group of female workers(assemblers) were chosen from a regular