The concept of team building can be traced back to the late 1920s when a study was done on the reactions of a group of workers that were placed under different conditions. The study was known as the Hawthorne Studies and researchers found through much analysis that building a large sense of group identity and social support was needed for greater worker interaction. Elton Mayo, one of the researchers found critical conditions that were required to have a successful team.
He observed that managers of the group should have to have a personal interest in each individual’s achievements. He saw that groups should help one another set their own conditions of work, he faithfully provided feedback to the group on their performance.
Overall, in the Hawthorne studies looked at many aspects of motivation, self-determination, team behaviour and if there were variables that could affect team productivity.