First published in 1984, this reprint of a biography of Australian social scientist Elton Mayo (1880-1949) surveys his life and work in founding the scientific study of organizational behavior, which shaped American social science and business management theory. Mayo worked on his theory as a professor of industrial research at Harvard Business School from 1926 to 1947. Trahair (social science, La Trobe U., Australia) relates Mayo's medical background, involvement in the Hawthorne studies at Western Electric Company, work as a philosopher in South Australia, ideas about political psychology, teaching, years at Harvard, and as a psychologist. Incorporated in the study are Mayo's writings and speeches. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
