Serendipity and Grounded Theory: a Possible Dialogue in Hawthorne’s Scenario

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to present a brief discussion on the emergence of the Human Relations Theory as serendipity or grounded theory. For the theoretical framework, I present topics about serendipity and grounded theory, on theory and substantive theory, followed by the core of the essay, a discussion of the studies taken place at Western Electric Company's Hawthorne Works in Chicago, which gave rise to the focus on human relations. One can conclude that social factors that emerged in Hawthorne’s scenario were not being sought out; they were serendipitous discoveries, based on data, as recommended by grounded theory.