Harrow, Stuart wrote:
> You apply the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to organiztions to say that
> by measuring them we change them, and that.we're left with a measurement
> of the past.
>
> I'm not sure I agree with you. True, there is uncertainty in any
> measurement, but the effect of a measuring scheme on an organization is
> not always unknown. Would you know of any cases where an organization was
> aware of the effect its measurements had on the members of the
> organization?
I'm not certain that this responds directly to your question, Stuart, or
that it supports Ben's point. However, I believe that the classic example
in organizational behavior is the Hawthorne Effect. As most of you will
recall, this was a 1920's study of working conditions to find the
"optimum" elements of the ideal worksite. The result was improved
productivity caused by the attention paid to these employees by the social
scientists engaged in measuring performance.
Doc
-- "Deploy forces to defend the strategic points; exercise vigilance in preparation, do not be indolent. Deeply investigate the true situation, secretly await their laxity. Wait until they leave their strongholds, then seize what they love. --Sun TzuRichard C. "Doc" Holloway Visit me at <http://www.thresholds.com/> Or e-mail me at <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com>
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