Final answer:
To understand the origins of the recognition of the importance of human resources and welfare of workers, study Robert Owen's works, as he applied humane practices in his industrial enterprises, unlike Max Weber's broader sociological focus or Lillian Gilbreth's work efficiency approach.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you want to understand the origins of the recognition of the importance of human resources and the personal welfare of workers, you should study the works of Robert Owen. Owen was a British industrialist who put into practice his beliefs about improving the welfare of workers by providing better working conditions, education, and social welfare at his cotton mills in New Lanark, Scotland. His work laid the foundation for later developments in the field of industrial and organizational psychology and the humanization of the workplace.While Max Weber is also a significant figure in sociology, particularly with his concerns about industrialization and its effects on individuals, his focus was more on the structural changes within society and less on the direct welfare of the workforce. Similarly, Lillian Gilbreth contributed to the field by applying psychological principles to management and work efficiency. However, it was Robert Owen who directly addressed and enacted the welfare and human aspects in an industrial and business context.In conclusion, although many thinkers, including Weber and Gilbreth, have contributed to our understanding of work and its sociological and psychological dimensions, it is Robert Owen's work that is most foundational for those interested in the early recognition of the importance of worker welfare and human resource management.