Elton Mayo's Theories

Elton W. Mayo was a major contributor to the so-called Human Relations Movement, which was a key feature in the development of traditional human resource management (HRM) that took place after World War I (Reshef, 2008). Mayo responded to a changing business environment after the war in which there was a need to increase industrial productivity by reducing industrial disputes, worker absenteeism, and turnover; and standardizing working conditions and pay structures. Mayo's efforts were focused on resolving problems related to the restriction of output (Reshef, 2008). This essay will describe Mayo's contributions to organizational theory, specifically to HRM, arguing that he was convinced that the industrialization of society had not improved the social status of the worker and that until this occurred, conflict would be endemic in the workplace.

According to Sarachek (1968), Mayo based his vision of the world on two vital assumptions. He held that most men are compelled by their nature to seek social alliances and productive cooperation with each other. Secondly, he believed that appropria

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Category: Business - E