Question

Elton Mayo is the chief contributor of which theory:

• A. Classical
• B. Bureaucracy
• C. Modern Management
• D. Human Relation

Hint:

Associate Elton Mayo directly with the Hawthorne Studies and the "Human Relations School" of management.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Management history is characterized by several schools of thought, ranging from scientific management to human-oriented approaches.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us identify the contributors to the major management theories:
- (A) Classical Theory: Major contributors include Henri Fayol and F.W. Taylor (Scientific Management), focusing on structural efficiency.
- (B) Bureaucracy Theory: Developed by Max Weber, focusing on hierarchical structures, division of labor, and formal rules.
- (C) Modern Management Theory: Involves quantitative and system-contingency approaches contributed by multiple modern theorists.
- (D) Human Relation Theory: Elton Mayo, through his landmark Hawthorne Studies (1924–1932), demonstrated that social factors, employee relationships, and group dynamics play a major role in workplace productivity.
This laid the foundation for the Human Relations movement in management.
Therefore, Elton Mayo is the chief contributor of the Human Relation theory.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Elton Mayo is the pioneer of the Human Relation theory of management.