Industrial Efficiency and State Intervention

 

 

 

Chapter 5

Human relations and productivity, 1947–51

 

 

 

Much of the change in emphasis about the productivity issue that became evident during 1947 stemmed from, and was shaped by, the growing influence of the ‘human relations’ approach to industry and its management. The term ‘human relations’ embraced a number of different perspectives and was in some ways nebulous, but its central thrust hinged upon an admonition that the workers needed to be treated as more than just a factor of production, especially if real gains in efficiency were to be made.¹ This chapter looks in detail at why the ‘human relations’ approach surfaced in 1947, and then examines how it shaped government policy over the ensuing years. Particular emphasis is placed ...