1. Human Relations Approaches COMM 254: Organizational Communication

3. Foundations of the HR Movement The Hawthorne Studies (pp. 26-27) Conducted by Elton Mayo beginning in 1920s Conducted at Western Electric Company’s Hawthorne Plant in Illinois Challenged the importance of work design and organizational structure Suggested other more important factors influencing worker behavior Suggested rigid control of work design processes and organizational structure have limited, variable, and potentially negative impact on worker productivity

4. A New Focus Social values and norms Group behavior, relationships, including informal groups Leadership...including informal leadership Decentralization of decision making (don’t just allow...elicit and encourage it) Participation and involvement as keys to motivation and productivity

5. A New Equation??

6. Supporting Theories Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (p. 29) The “prepotent” NEED Pyramid Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory (p. 31) Are you satisfied but not motivated? Motivated but not satisfied? Both? Neither? McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y (p. 33) A theory of managerial lay theories

7. Add Charles Redding… More communication-minded

8. Add Charles Redding… Willing, approachable, understanding (empathic) listeners

9. Add Charles Redding… More apt to engage in (and are perceived as engaging in) “requesting” or “persuading” rather than “telling” or “demanding”

10. Add Charles Redding… Sensitive to the feelings and “face” of others

11. Add Charles Redding… Apt to pass on information openly, in a timely fashion, and with accompanying reasons and rationale for changes in policies and practices

12. So What Metaphor Fits Here?

13. Human Relations Approaches: A View of Communication Content ? Task and Social Direction ? Vertical and horizontal Channel ? Open face-to-face Style ? Informal