Final answer:
The Hawthorne studies raised awareness about the influence of human factors on productivity, such as social relations among workers. They also discovered the Hawthorne effect, which describes the increase in performance of individuals who are aware they are being observed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hawthorne studies were important in management history because they raised awareness about the influence of human factors on productivity. These studies found that social relations among workers had a greater effect on productivity than physical work conditions. The Hawthorne effect, which describes the increase in performance of individuals who are aware they are being observed by researchers or supervisors, was discovered during these studies.