George Elton Mayo, an Australian psychologist, sociologist, and organization theorist, was born on 26 December 1880 and passed away on 7 September 1949. He began his career as a lecturer at the University of Queensland in 1911 and later moved to the University of Pennsylvania. However, he spent most of his professional life as a professor of industrial research at Harvard Business School from 1926 to 1947.
On 18 April 1913 in Brisbane, Australia, George Elton Mayo married Dorothea McConnel. They had two daughters named Patricia and Gael.
Mayo, the founder of the Human Relations Movement, is renowned for his research in the Hawthorne Studies and his book The Human Problems of an Industrialized Civilization (1933). The Hawthorne Studies conducted in the 1930s revealed the significant influence of groups on individual behavior in the workplace. Mayo's associates, Roethlisberger and Dickinson, carried out pract
...ical experiments, which allowed Mayo to draw conclusions on appropriate managerial conduct.
He conducted various investigations to explore methods to enhance productivity, such as modifying the lighting conditions at the workplace. However, his findings revealed that the satisfaction with work depended largely on the informal social dynamics within the work team. When there were established norms of cooperation and a sense of significance, physical conditions or financial incentives held limited motivational value. The formation of work groups by individuals can be leveraged by management to advantage the organization. Consequently, he reached the conclusion that both social factors and job content significantly impact individuals' work performance.
He proposed that there is a potential clash within organizations between the workers' perspective influenced by emotions and the managers' focus on cost and efficiency. There wa
disagreement during the research regarding the way employees conducted themselves: The individuals being studied were given the freedom to select themselves for the groups. However, two women were substituted as they were found to be engaged in casual conversation during work and later discovered to be part of a leftist movement. Additionally, one Italian member's performance was above average due to her need to take care of her family on her own, which had a greater impact on the group's overall performance.
Summary of Mayo's Beliefs: According to Mayo, individual workers cannot be treated as individuals but rather as members of a group. He believed that the need to belong to a group is more important to individuals than monetary incentives and good working conditions. Mayo also emphasized the influence of informal groups formed at work on the behavior of workers within a group. He argued that managers should be aware of these "social needs" and address them to ensure collaboration between employees and the official organization. Mayo's simple instructions to industrial interviewers continue to be influential today. Here are the simple rules of interviewing according to Mayo: 1) Give your full attention to the person interviewed and demonstrate your attentiveness. 2) Listen to the interviewee and avoid talking excessively. 3) Refrain from arguing or giving advice during the interview. 4) Listen carefully to what the interviewee wants to say, what they do not want to say, and what they may struggle to express without assistance. 5) As you listen, tentatively outline the emerging pattern of information and present a summary for comment. Exercise caution when clarifying the information, avoiding any additions or distortions. These
beliefs and interviewing guidelines can be found in papers held by Mayo's grand-daughter.
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