The History of Team Building and the Hawthorne Experiments
The Hawthorne Experiments
Conducted at Western Electric Company’s Hawthorne Works (1924-1932)
Initially studied lighting conditions and productivity
Discovered the Hawthorne Effect: social factors influence behavior
Impact on understanding team dynamics and productivity
Impact on Team Building
Emphasized social interactions, communication, and morale
Shifted focus to creating positive work environments
Popularised team-building activities for collaboration and performance improvement