The criticism to techno mechanical rigid classical organization gave rise to neo classical era in the form of Human Relations school by Elto Mayo, behavioural school by Chester I bernard, and Simon. The human relation school is described as precursor to Behavioural school due to several reasons.
1. HRT emphasized upon psychological aspect of human being wherein self prestige, work satisfaction , self importance etc are key in organization sucess. This later was highlighted into BErnard's social system approach wherein contribution satisfaction equilibrium, zone of indifference etc seem to be natural extension of HRT.
2. The social dynamics discussed by Mayo in the form of informal organization was taken ahead by Bernard who later described how informal organization reinforce the working of formal organization and can be constructively used to increase efficiency and productivity.
3. HRT has focused how communication was important for organizational effectiveness which in turn was developed by full fledged theory of communication of Bernard who supported free flowing multi directional communication in the organization.
4. HRT underscored how there should be an integration of individual goals with the organizational goals which was later found in commonality principle of Bernard.
5. HRT highlighted that top down authoritative structures dehumanize the organization and kill creation. This was endorsed by behavioural thinkers who supported democratic and participatory structures for organizational management.
However, HRT failed to see organization as a system which Behavioral found. Morover, inlike behavioural thinkers HRT could not give importance to other techno mechanical and monetary aspects which are equally important in goal attainment. This was not neglected by behavioralists. But still it will be plausible to say that HRT was precursor to behavioral theories.