INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY REVISION GUIDE SEM II 2011/12

Unit 1 *Evolution of Society *Characteristics/ features of societies *Emergence of sociology (purpose & objectives) *Industrial Sociology objectives

Unit 2: Assessing the usefulness *5 Perspectives: -Micro: 1.Managerial Psychologistic 2. Interactionist Macro: 3. DurkheimSystems 4. Marxian Combination: 5. Weber-Social Action

Unit 3: theories 1. HRM 2. Orientation to Work 3. Organizational Sociology 4. Plant Sociology 5. Marxist Labour Process Theory

Unit 4: **Worker Collectivism one manifestation being trade unions ** Mobilization Theory (components)

Unit 5: Post-Industrial Society *Has society evolved yet again? *Comparison of Industrial and Post-Industrial Society *Work of Bell, Drucker & Toffler *Kumar and Smart

Unit 6 Is the Caribbean an Industrial region? If no, why not? *Arthur Lewis *Importance of technology *Discussion on Perez, Girvan, Pantin and Nurse.

Unit 7 * Sexual Division of Labour *Manifestation of Gender bias - to what extent? *Is the Caribbean unique?

Unit 8 & 9 *Impact of technology on: -Labour market & relations -Work organization and production *Effect of technology: control of worker or aid to worker?

Control of worker (Braverman) or Aid to Worker (Blauner) Have the new technologies affected the relevance and usefulness of trade unions? Compare & Contrast Industrial and Post-Industrial Features Are these features evident in the Caribbean region? 1

UNIT 1: Some features of the Industrial Society: Industrial Society: Pre-eminence of rationality Science and objectivity Emergence of factories Mechanization Division of labour Bureaucracy Specialization of tasks Social Stratification Sophisticated technology (driven by energy) Surplus production (for profit) Individualistic orientation Some historical/societal factors: Population Growth Enclosure Movement Enlightenment and the influence of rationality Reformation Protestant Ethic French Revolution Industrial Revolution Sociological Issues: Removal of mysticism (demystification) Disenchantment Webers discussion of the iron cage Emergence of new bourgeoisie class Urbanization (movement from land to factories) Poverty Change in production process Erosion of collective orientation Emergence of Sociology as a discipline: need to understand how these changes helped in the emergence of not only Industrial Society but sociology as an academic discipline. Sociology: Study of relationships Rationale is to help people reach a better understanding of human predicament Systematic process Role is to describe, explain and predict

Industrial Sociology emerged as a sub-discipline: study of work and how changes have affected the worker and management relations. (Refer to Lecture notes and slides for more discussion on the objectives). UNIT 2 Five Perspectives: Based on the transformations that society underwent various social scientists arose in an attempt to explain what was taking place. These diverse perspectives in industrial sociology reflect the fact that sociologists in the study of work chose to focus on different aspects of work and industrial life. You can refer to Watson for a good discussion of these perspectives including their strengths and weaknesses. Managerial Psychologistic (micro analysis) Explains human behaviour in terms of internal attributes to the individual

Scientific Management (Features and theorist- Taylor)

Self-Actualization (Features and theorists)

Critique Durkheim-Systems (consensus thesis)-(macro analysis): provides the theoretical framework for the work of the Human Relations School. Critical to this perspective is the identification of social relationships as being the primary determinant of human behaviour. The determining factor was the social system either that of the workplace or the wider society. The individual is therefore analyzed as part of that system. Interactionist-(micro analysis): is individualistic in orientation and explanation in that it ignores or does not acknowledge the existence of an entity called society that is separate from the individual. It emphasizes how individuals construct social reality. Weber-social action-(micro and macro analysis): is concerned with relating meaning at the individual level to the wider historical and cultural patterns at the macro level. Individuals are influenced at the wider societal level by their sense of a legitimate order. Marxian (macro analysis): represents an analysis of the political, social and economic order. Marxian theoretical framework believes that work generally is supposed to be a self-fulfilling, purposive activity. However, under the capitalist system this has been distorted. He speaks of two classes in society which is reflected in the workplace bourgeoisie (own the means of production) and the proletariat (sell their labour power). Because of the unequal power relations between the two Marx states that there will always be conflict in the workplace. Also because of the arrangement of the productive process there will be exploitation of workers to benefit from surplus value, alienation and irreconcilable conflict. You must be able to list and explain the main features of these perspectives along with the criticism levied against it. This will help in an evaluation of which will be most useful in 3

understanding the workplace (or situations in the workplace). Remember in determining which is best, think about: 1. Type of industry (e.g. manufacturing or service oriented?) 2. Type of relationship is it between workers and management or among workers?

UNIT 3 Sociology of Work: the origins of the sociology of work lie in the attempts of the classical theorists to come to terms with the nature of industrialization (Thompson, 1986) This topic area also looks at differing theoretical interpretations of technology (Blauner and Braverman) and its influence/impact on the worker. This area is relevant to further the discussion in Unit 8. Non-Marxist Marxist

**Human Relations School **Hawthorn Effect **Informal Organization

**Labour Process Theory (main elements) Looks at: *Effect of technology (Bravermans thesis)

Plant Sociology (Blauner) Focus is on internal factors

Organizational Soc.

Orientation to work focus is on external factors

Inverted U curve (relationship between technology and degrees of alienation). Workplace is the universe containing all the variables accounting for worker behaviour Criticisms

Social System Technical Human Organization UNIT 4 Mobilization Theory: Mobilization theory directs our attention to the social relations of the workplace and the processes by which employees perceive and respond to injustice and assert their rights. Out of these interactions emerges the desire for unionism, a particular form of collective representation. 4

How and under what conditions do individuals organize collectively to pursue their grievances or interests? How and under what conditions will individuals take collective or cooperative actions towards the attainment of common goals? Worker Collectivism

19th century worker

20th century worker

Conditions Kelly (drawing on the work of Tilly)

Moblilzation Theory (importance of injustice)

Long Wave

1. Organization 2. Mobilization 3. Opportunity (counter-mobilization) 4. Collective Action 5. Interests (most important) Upswing (25 years-boom) Downswing (25 years-bust)

***Attribution ***Social Identification ***Leadership Issues that influence interests: How do workers move from individual semi-collective collective interests? Strength of grievance (what is managements position) How do people acquire a sense of injustice?

You should be in a position to discuss each component (applicability is important here).

UNIT 5 Post-Industrial Society: this area will be useful in developing any discussions on Unit 8 &9 with respect to the impact of technology on the nature of work and industrial production. You should therefore be in a position to explain the main elements of the three strands below.

Drucker; Toffler; Bell STRANDS

Information Society

Post-Fordism

Post-Modernism

Critique Kumar & Smart Discontinuity or Continuity Why not concentrate on the differences? Are the features of post-industrial different from industrial? New Form of life/drastic change?

You should be in a position to present your position on whether or not you think we have moved into yet another type of society (examples and or cases are always useful in enhancing your discussion) UNIT 6 Industrialization of the Caribbean Just as I mentioned in Unit 1 the importance of understanding the role of technology in the transformation of society from pre-industrial to industrial you also need to link this to the Caribbeans position in the industrialization process and therefore the possible reasons we are still in the position we are today. What are some of the obstacles and how can they be overcome? Arthur Lewis Profits Savings Capital Accumulation Economic Development

Dual Economy

Industrialization by Invitation Inviting MNCs Potential Benefits: **Capital **Knowledge/Expertise **Technology

Agri

Industrial

Complementary relationship

Reasons for failure: Identify the criticisms of the model (we discussed this in class) Is the model outdated? What role do institutional factors play? Is the problem with the model or the application of it? 6

What about Perezs discussion of our socio-institutional framework? Is technology given a central place in the drive towards industrialization in the Caribbean?

As a Caribbean region we have relied extensively on acquiring technology by inviting multinational corporations (enclave type operations with little/no local value-added or technological multiplier effect). You can refer to the work of Keith Nurse and his focus on the Export Processing Zones (EPZs). Our strategy has always been to market ourselves as low skilled. This, according to Pantin (1994) ensures that we are locked in a global industrial process (globalization) at the very bottom of the structure as our governments do not place much emphasis on development of indigenous technologies and scientific discoveries (remember the term rentier mentality). The majority of regional manufacturers and service providers use technology that is below international best standards. Given the crucial role of technology in transforming the production process and driving productivity and competitiveness, it is not surprising that these firms are unable to compete in the domestic and international markets. Firms are therefore unwilling to incur the costs of securing such technology on their own. Again, government intervention is necessary to assist in technological upgrading. This is especially vital for small, relatively labour intensive firms that could help to alleviate the unemployment problem in the region.

UNIT 7 Sexual Division of Labour (definition)

Europe

Caribbean

Link between patriarchy and agrarianism (refer to lecture slides)

Patriarchy weakly institutionalized? Why? Peculiar History (discussed in tutorial and lecture)

Suffer disadvantages in labour market **Biological differences are still held **Patriarchy (inherited from Europeans) **Labour statistics

Do not suffer disadvantages **Weakly institutionalized **Economic factors (industrialization and migration by men) **Labour Statistics

Role of main socializing agents in reinforcing or undermining Sexual Division of Labour: Family Religion Education Also consider the influence of the Media When doing an assessment of the extent of sexual division of labour remember to look at: Type of industry Sector of the economy (formal or informal?) The type of job/position held Income (equal or unequal?) Prestige attached to position (diminishes, remains the same or increases when a woman assumes the position?) Is the 21st century woman in a better position now?

UNIT 8 Industrial Work Organization & Control Influence of technology

Flexible Taylorism & Post Fordism

Bravermans Thesis Anti-Essentialist thesis Deskilling Thesis (Expanding on the work of Marxs Labour Process Theory) Post-modern approach

Social Constructivism **What technology does is determined by the way in which those involved with its usage interpret it. **Technology is what those who use it believe it to be.

UNIT 9 Technological Revolution (High Volume to High Value/Quality) What are these new technologies? Impact on

Nature of Work

Industrial Production (Global marketplace) Globalization of productive process

Labour Market

Labour Relations

**New Employment strategies --status of workers --type of workers **Global market demands **Deskilling/enskilling?

**Role of trade unions **Job security **Autonomy for technical staff **Less face-to-face interaction (due to use of Internet and intranet)

Recentralization or Decentralization?

Impact on Caribbean This last unit deals extensively with the influence of technology on industrial work organization and control and also how it has impacted on the industrial production process. Remember that the new technologies have an integrative function thereby transforming our analysis and understanding to a GLOBAL level. Effect on Industrial work organization and control: Nature of work and workplace relations. This takes us back a bit to what was learnt under Unit 5 (post-industrial society) where as a result of the introduction of new technologies (information technology or computer-aided technology) the production process has become more flexible (Post-Fordism). This has certain implications for the way in which work is organized. As seen in the diagram above the following issues must be considered (discussed in lecture slides as well). Labour market: type of worker being demanded. First group comprise of highly skilled workers that enjoy job security; second group that are less skilled in comparison to the first but also enjoys full-time employment and job security; third group made up of contract and part-time workers who have no job security. 9

Employment strategies being employed now: more flexible where management can take on and dispense with labour as the need arises (as a result of increase in supply of labour Global workforce Organizational structure: flatter hierarchical structures as a result of horizontal collaboration between workers and their supervisors. Introduction of the enterprise web. This is more evident in what Reich spoke about in the importance of problem solvers and problem identifiers in this high value environment (similar to Bells technicians). Decisions are to be made quickly so workers (highly skilled ones) are given greater autonomy. Management of assets: As a result of the high value industry there has been a move away from acquisition of property and office equipment to now renting/leasing as the need arises. There has also been a move away from possession of large stocks in warehouses to little inventory (just-in time system/japanization). Workplace relations: due to the more towards more contract/part-time workers and the subsequent erosion of job security what implications do these now have for the role of trade unions (particularly in the Caribbean context). Going back to Mobilization theory this can be seen as one of managements counter-mobilization strategies. Also the issue of recentralization and decentralization arises, i.e. management regaining greater control or workers given greater independence. Post-Fordists would say that the collaboration that exists makes the workplace environment more humane. However, note that even though these problem solvers enjoy some degree of independence their work is managed or controlled by the centre strategic broker in the new enterprise web. Also new monitoring tools are being implemented (e.g. log sheets, status reporting proceudres to distinguish slow from fast workers). Another point is that with the prevalent usage of internet and intranet in the organization over time this erodes face-to-face interaction among workers and between management and workers as workers can choose to work from home (blurring of boundaries between work and home) and can now communicate with others via these technologies.

Effect on Industrial Production (Post-Fordism) Production is now market driven. This can now occur due to the adoption of computer aided automation. This allows the production process to be more flexible flexible specialization. There has been a move away from high volume production (mass production/standardization) to high value (service-oriented/customization). Globalization of the production process as organizations are now subcontracting and/or outsourcing part of their production activities while concentrating on their core competencies. You now have various parts of production located in disparate parts of the world. The Caribbean has benefited from this to a limited extent. Global marketplace now means that distribution of products is now widespread internationally. As such, e-business (B2B) and e-commerce (B2C such as e-banking, purchasing goods on the internet or over the telephone Amazon, eBay and eZshop) are becoming more and more en vogue (particularly in the Caribbean). However, as a result there is an elimination of intermediaries (implications for Caribbean businesses).

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Some exam room tips: Identify the topic to be addressed. Underline the key phrases, words or concepts What is the question asking? Try as far as possible to jot down all that you know on your question paper before attempting questions as the tendency is that the information escapes you later. This also helps to give your answer a sequential flow (yes I am aware you have to do three questions in two hours but this planning pays off in the end) Dont look around the room as you may become distracted by those who chose to just start without proper planning. Dont worry they tend to stall early) If running out of time jot down the remaining points Take a breath and settle yourself!!!! It was a pleasure working with you all. All the best in your exams

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