The Hawthorne Experiments: Statistical Evidence for a Learning Hypothesis

The historical productivity data from the Hawthorne experiments per-mit the statistical evaluation of the hypotheses of the original experimenters and others by conducting appropriate time-series analyses. In this paper a recent hypothesis by H. M. Parsons that the output trends in the first relay assembly test room experiment were due primarily to increased skill and com-petence is evaluated empirically by fitting a standard learning equation to the data for each operator. The learning equation describes the overall data trends very well. Then, to assess the effects of the experimental manipulations and variables hypothesized by other investigators, the productivity data are de-trended of the learning effect and the detrended data are analyzed. This analy-sis shows that the introduction of rest pauses in the test room led to the more productive use of work time. Overall, it appears that the conditions motivating increased learning—i.e., improved reinforcement conditions (in-creased status and new economic incentives) and regular performance feedback —were the primary causes of increased output. Because the mysterious findings of long-term overall increases in worker productivity stimulated widespread theorizing, research, and debate, the Hawthorne First Relay Assembly Test Room experiment has had far-reaching and continuing effects on management theory and policy. The many explanations, reanalyses and subsequent critiques of the Hawthorne research have extended the debate between contending management phi-losophies and in particular between the Human Relations (Mayo, a, b) and Scientific Management (Taylor) approaches. During the early years most of the debate was based solely on ideological grounds (cf. Argyle; Lands-berger). Later analyses (cf. Blumberg; Carey) marshalled substantive evi-*Appreciation is expressed to my colleagues, Robert L. Hamblin and Bradley W. Parlin for their helpful and cogent comments on earlier stages of this research. I am also indebted to Richard H. Franke and Robert Schlaifer who provided solid criticisms that improved the final draft.