The study, which is believed to be the first randomized control trial into workplace flexibility, saw participants divided into two groups. The first were taught various practices that aimed to increase their control over their work. So employees were trained to focus more on outcomes than face time.
Definition of Control Theory. In sociology, control theory is the view that people refrain from deviant behavior because diverse factors control their impulses to break social norms.
Some controls are internal, such as a person's conscience and motivation to succeed; others are external, such as one's parents, friends, and legal codes. For example, fear of potential embarrassment and store security might quell a person's desire to steal. Control theory links non-deviant behavior to socialization and social bonds: those who are more socialized as children and maintain stronger bonds with others are less likely to behave in deviant ways.