A New Role for the Work Group

Membership in the small primary work group has been considered a major source of motivation for employees since the Hawthorne studies. Much of the early evidence from research in group dynamics and from T-group training supported this assumption. Disappointing results from long-term studies within organizations have, however, modified early enthusiasm. This has led to current concern with problems of power equalization and the role of the rank-and-file worker. Attention is drawn to recent work of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations with autonomous work groups, which goes far towards solving the problems of worker motivation, participation, and power equalization. Maxine Bucklow is senior lecturer in industrial relations at the University of Sydney, Australia.