7.4.2 Conducting Field Studies
Logging crews were matched and randomly assigned by Latham to one of two conditions, specific, high goals as to number of trees to cut down, or ‘‘do best’’ goals. All crews were paid by piece rate. Both productivity and job attendance were significantly higher in the high goal condition (Latham and Kinne, 1974). Challenging goals had provided loggers with excitement. They gave meaning and purpose to what had previously been viewed by them as a relatively meaningless task.