State the fourth and the last stage of OB development.
(a) Hawthorne Experiments
(b) Positive Organisational Behaviour (POB)
(c) Human relations movement
(d) Scientific Management
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
(a) Hawthorne Experiments
Explanation:
The Hawthorne Experiments were pivotal in the development of Organizational Behavior (OB) theory, as they marked a shift in how management approached workers and organizational efficiency. These experiments were conducted at the Western Electric Company’s Hawthorne Works in Chicago during the 1920s and early 1930s.
Fourth Stage of OB Development:
The fourth stage of OB development is associated with the insights gained from the Hawthorne Experiments. These experiments initially aimed to study the effects of lighting on worker productivity. However, they revealed that factors such as social relationships, employee attention, and emotional well-being played a significant role in enhancing productivity, far beyond the physical conditions of the workplace. The experiments led to the development of the idea that employee motivation and behavior are strongly influenced by interpersonal dynamics and the social context of work.
One key conclusion from the Hawthorne Experiments was the Hawthorne Effect, which refers to the change in an individual’s behavior when they know they are being observed. This discovery highlighted the importance of managerial attention, communication, and emotional support in motivating employees, marking a turning point in the study of human behavior at work.
Last Stage of OB Development:
The final stage in OB development involves the Human Relations Movement, which expanded on the insights from the Hawthorne Experiments. The Human Relations Movement focused on improving management practices by considering the psychological and social needs of workers. It encouraged a more people-centric approach to management, emphasizing motivation, job satisfaction, and team dynamics as key components in organizational success.
This movement influenced later developments in OB, such as Positive Organizational Behavior (POB), which focuses on fostering employee strengths and well-being to enhance performance and workplace satisfaction. However, the Human Relations Movement and the Hawthorne Experiments remain central to OB’s development.
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