Week 3: Human resources approaches and human relations

Due to the criticism on the machine metaphor, human relation and human resources approaches introduce the importance of human needs in the workplace. In human relation, the three approached are The Hawthorne Studies, Maslow Hierarchy of needs study and McGregor’s Theory X & Y. The Hawthorne studies was conducted in late 1920s and early 1930s, it was widely interpreted as indicating that management attention to workers and social communication was highly influential in increasing worker productivity. Next, Maslow Hierarchy of needs study is a basic theory of motivation applied to the organisational setting where it said that human needs are arranged in a hierarchy of prepotency, ranging from physiological needs to the need for self-actualize. Finally, McGregor’s Theory X & Y considers the assumptions that managers hold about employees, positing that Theory Y managers would behave in such a way as to maximize the productivity of employees. Human relations approaches are different from classical approach as we can have horizontal, face-to-face and informal communication about both task and social topics.

Human resources approach existed due to the dissatisfaction with the human relation approach because human relation approach failed to accumulate widespread empirical support and because some ideas could be instituted in half-hearted and manipulative ways. Human Resources approach tries to maximize both organisational productivity and individual employee satisfaction and it is accomplished through the intelligent use of human resources. We look at theories such as Blake and Mouton’s Managerial Grid where an example was provided on the dual focus on organisational effectiveness and individual needs, and Rensis Likert’s System demonstrates how human resources principles such as participation and innovation can be instituted in an organisational setting. This approach is different from classical and human relation because it has a broad communication content including task-related, social and innovation topics. The information flows in a wide variety of directions and emphasis on team-based interaction. It also uses a wide variety of channels matched to task needs and is relatively informal. 

For tutorial in human resources, we are required to discuss on the case study on Teamwork at the Marshall's processing plant as well as to create a communication strategy. For the outcome of our discussion please watch video below.