Human relations theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human relations theory - Essay typefaceMainly, the Human relations theory in organization and management has been attributed to Elton Mayo. Mayos major theoretical stand point, fit in to Wood (2004, p.35),is that in the absence of an explicit understanding of the determinants of co-operative effort, quick technological and scientific advance tends to be associated with increased social disorganization. Wood (2004, p.36) has added that by social disorganization, Mayo means, a disruption (loosening, weakening, impoverishment etc.) in the social ties, codes and established routines.Wood (2004, p.36) has further clarified this position of Mayo by dileneating that these social ties, codes and routines argon the f comportors that regulates the relations of individuals to one an early(a) in a group and they foster a strong appellative of the individual to the group. So, when these are disrupted, as predicted by Mayo, the essential conditions for cooperative efforts among individuals a nd groups are destroyed.(Wood, 2004, p.36)Mayo (1975, p.32))also has observed that when these elements are present, the act as an atmosphere where non logical bases for co-operation are present and from which, rational bases for cooperation can also emerge. When the lovable of social disorganization as observed by Mayo (1975, p.31) happens, obsessive thinking replaces rational thinking. jibe to Mayo (1975, p.32), obsessive people are those who have non been trained for co-operative effort. The rational people, on the other hand, have explicit skills of communication required by the adaptive society (Wood, 2004, p.36).Mayo has analysed that as for obsessive people, thither is no turning back unless they learn the skills to relate to others, modern societies without understanding of the importance of cooperative efforts and with rapid technological and scientific growth, also have no way to return from chaos (Mayo, 1975, p.33). Mayo has not put forth any magic solutions to this pro blem. He has instead suggested some indepth and longterm footprints. One such measure is to observe the relations within a group, develop these observations into a systematic social science study, ripe like physical sciences and then incorporating sociology with psychological thought by an involved researcher (not a free one) (Mayo, 1975, p.113).The Hawthorne experiments conducted by Mayo was a major milestone in the study of industrial behaviour (Mayo, 1975, p.60). He conducted an interview based research in Western Electric Company, Chicago, to analyse the development of employee attitudes and how that influences the outcome. He was hard-hitting for an optimal situation which could bring about highest productivity. Hawthorne experiment findings included observations like, an individuals identity is strongly associated with his or her group an individuals connection or sense of belonging to the group can be more important to him or her than monetary rewards groups can be form al or informalboth can exercise a strong influence on individuals at work(and) managers and supervisors would do well to take this group behaviour into account when seeking to extract the uttermost amount of work from their subordinates (Campbell and Craig, p.16). This was part of Mayos efforts to develop a new approach which he named, clinical sociology. (Mayo, 1975, 65-70). In this way, Mayo wanted to add sociology to the group of natural sciences. A second experiment, named, relay assembly test room was conducted by Mayo, in which a group of women, whose work was to assembly telephone relays, were subjected to various changes in their conditions of work, payment, rest pauses etc. (Crowther &Green, 2004,p.35). And he found that workers productivity depended less on their objective conditions and more on communicating with them well, support them become involved in the organization and making them feel wanted and important (Crowther &Green, 2004,p.35). This experiment was a major breakthrough in management studies. From his studies, Mayo inferred that every social group