The Human Relations Movement: Definition and Significance to Organizational Behavior

Summary

The script discusses the evolution of the human relations movement in organizational behavior, emphasizing the importance of employee motivation beyond monetary incentives. It highlights Elton Mayo's pioneering work and the Hawthorne experiments, which demonstrated that social factors and worker psychology significantly impact productivity. The narrative then pivots to Messy Chocolates, a company experiencing declining production despite high wages, suggesting a shift towards a human relations philosophy. This includes fostering teamwork, promoting upward communication, and providing strong leadership to enhance employee engagement and productivity.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Historically, companies overlooked employee personal development, leading to negative attitudes and high turnover.
• 🌟 The human relations movement in organizational behavior emphasizes individual employees and their motivation.
• 👨‍🔬 Elton Mayo, an organizational psychologist, is credited as the father of the human relations movement.
• 💡 The Hawthorne experiment in 1927 demonstrated that worker output is influenced by social factors and attention.
• 📈 The experiment showed that changes in lighting, even to very low levels, increased productivity due to the 'Hawthorne effect'.
• 🏭 Messy Chocolates, despite paying a fair wage, has seen a decline in production, indicating a need for a new approach.
• 🤝 The human resource department suggests adopting a human relations philosophy to improve employee motivation and productivity.
• 👥 Key elements of the human relations theory include key work groups, excellent upward communication, and superior leadership.
• 💬 Upward communication allows employees to provide feedback, making them feel valued in the company's decision-making.
• 👩‍💼 Good leadership through communication and mentorship can motivate employees and improve their commitment to the job.
• 🏢 Companies that focus on human behavior aspects of employee dynamics tend to have more successful workplaces.

Q & A

What was the primary focus of companies before the human relations movement?

Before the human relations movement, companies primarily focused on production profits and sales, often neglecting employees' personal development, job motivation, interests, and attitudes.

What were the negative consequences for companies that ignored employees' personal development?

Ignoring employees' personal development led to negative attitudes, high turnover, high absenteeism, and poor job commitment within the companies.

How does the human relations movement differ from the traditional approach to organizational behavior?

The human relations movement focuses on the individual as a person, analyzing what motivates and cultivates their achievement in a work setting, rather than solely focusing on monetary incentives and production profits.

Who is considered the father of the human relations movement?

Elton Mayo, an organizational psychologist, is considered the father of the human relations movement.

What significant discovery was made during the Hawthorne experiment?

The Hawthorne experiment discovered that worker output and satisfaction were linked to social factors, such as how employees were treated on the job, and that the attention workers received as part of the study (the Hawthorne effect) led to increased productivity.

What is the Hawthorne effect, and how does it relate to the human relations movement?

The Hawthorne effect refers to the phenomenon where workers increase their productivity due to the attention they receive from being observed. It relates to the human relations movement by highlighting the importance of social factors and employee recognition in enhancing worker output.

What is Messy Chocolates, and what problem has the company been facing?

Messy Chocolates is a company that manufactures giant milk and dark milk chocolate bars. The company has been facing a yearly decline in overall production despite paying their employees a solid rate of $15 an hour.

What three key elements of the human relations theory has the human resource department suggested Messy Chocolates adopt?

The human resource department has suggested Messy Chocolates adopt key work groups and teams, excellent upward communication, and superior leadership as part of their human relations philosophy.

How do key work groups and teams contribute to the human relations movement?

Key work groups and teams contribute by providing socialization among individuals, which in turn motivates and enhances productivity.

Why is upward communication considered a necessity in the human relations movement?

Upward communication is necessary because it allows employees to offer feedback and communication to upper management, making them feel valued and part of the company's decision-making process.

How does dynamic leadership play a role in the human relations movement?

Dynamic leadership plays a role by providing mentorship and direction, which motivates employees and contributes to a successful and committed workforce.