Chapter One

Definition, emergence, scope, related with other disciplines

Industrial sociology, also known as the sociology of work, is the study of human
relations and social structures in industrial and post-industrial work
environments. It examines how work is organized, how labor processes are
structured, and how these elements impact both individual workers and broader
social structures. Industrial sociology, until recently a crucial research area within
the field of sociology of work, examines "the direction and implications of trends
in technological change, globalization, labour markets, work organization,
managerial practices and employment relations" to "the extent to which these
trends are intimately related to changing patterns of inequality in modern societies
and to the changing experiences of individuals and families", and " the ways in
which workers challenge, resist and make their own contributions to the patterning
of work and shaping of work institutions"

Industrial sociology, also known as the sociology of work, is a sub-discipline of

sociology that focuses on the social relations, organizational structures, and
cultural norms that emerge within the context of industrial and post-industrial work
environments. This field examines how work is organized, how labor processes are
structured, and how these elements impact both individual workers and broader
social structures. By understanding the dynamics of industrial societies,
sociologists can analyze the complexities of modern work environments, including
issues related to power, inequality, technology, and globalization.

Industrialization is about resourcefulness; good utilization of both human and

natural resources to satisfy wants, it also means creativity etc. Industrial has to do
with the economic institution while sociology has to do with political and social
aspects. Sociology is the science of the society. Industrial sociology studies the
uses that are related to industry and its impact on the society. It studies the social
organization of labour. It tries to know the stimulating factors that affects the
society; the effects of the transformation of nature into useful products. It also tries
to know what are the social changes associated with it and also what society
benefits from it and what are the effect of industries in the society.

In other word, Industrial Sociology is a branch of sociology that studies the

economic aspect of the society; production and distribution of goods and services.
Several attempts are made to define industrial sociology, some of which includes;
Industrial Sociology is defined as one of the applied sub-discipline of sociology
that is concerned with contemporary Industrial problems and ensuring maximum
order in the work-place using sociological analysis and theories.

It is a branch of sociology that looks at the impact of labor and industry on society,
as well as the ways in which society impacts industrial forces;

• It is a substantive area of general sociology which might more accurately be

termed the Sociology of Work Organization or the Sociology of the Economy;

• It is mainly concerned with application of sociological principles to the study of

economic structures, changes in the structures, & the values & ideologies related to
them; these principles may apply to the society, community and the work
situations.

Miller and Form (1951) describe the field as being “concerned broadly with the
study of industrial society and also ... with the analysis of the social organization of
work”.

They suggest that because it deals with all types of work organization, Industrial
Sociology might be more accurately labelled, “Sociology of the Economy”.

Wilbert Moore defines the field as “concerned with the application or development
of principles of sociology relevant to the industrial mode of production and the
industrial way of life”.

J.H. Mills also defines it as “the scientific study of social relations, industrial and
organizational setting; and the ways these relations influence and are being
influenced by relations in other sub-systems of society”;

Etzioni suggests that Industrial Sociology is most considered as “an applied field
and branch of organizational sociology; having the primary aim of producing
goods and services, exchanging them, or organizing and manipulating monetary
processes”.

Whiles Industrial Sociologists differ in their definition of the field, there is

remarkable consistency in the kind of areas included in the field; These include the
work group, structure of industrial bureaucracy, union-management relations;
Industrialization process, and major work roles in industry as well as internal
organization of trade unions;
 In summary, Industrial Sociology is a branch of sociology which applies the
principles and theories of sociology to the world of work.

Not necessarily factory work but all kinds of work organizations formal or
informal, management union relations; as well as the relations between the formal
organization of work and the environment; the discipline is therefore not only
concerned broadly with the study of industrial society but it is also concerned with
the analysis of social organization of work; as its name indicates, Industrial
Sociology is the application of the sociological approaches to the reality and
problems of Work Organizations (Gisbert, 1972).

GILBERT (1972) also defines Industrial Sociology as the application of

sociological approach to the reality and problems of industry.

A.F AWOSHOLA (2013) defines it as one of the applied sub-disciplines in

sociology concerned with solving contemporary industrials problems and ensuring
maximum order in the workplace using sociological analysis and theories.

SPANDLING (1961) argues that Industrial Sociology centers it attention on social

organization of factories, the store and the offices. According to him these includes
not only the interaction of people playing roles in these organizations, but also, the
ways their work roles are inter-related to other aspects of their lives.

In summary, Industrial Sociology is concerned with consensus, conflicts,

motivation, hierarchies, technologies, jobs, satisfaction, leadership, etc. It examines
the impact of labour and industry on the society, the ways in which cultural norms,
values and belief system of the society impacts on work organization. It also
studies issues in industrialization and how it is affected by globalization,
information and communication technology and vice-versa.

Sociological Approach to the Study of Industrial Sociology

The sociological approach to the study of industry consists of the study of social
relations, groups, institutions as they manifest themselves in society; an industry
can be studied from various points of view namely: political, psychological,
economic, technological etc. However, as students of sociology, we must study
industry from the sociological point of view; that is the social relations that
manifest themselves in work organizations.

Industrial Sociology does not exist as a separate field by virtue of a central

theoretical focus; It draws its theory and methods from a variety of sub disciplines
within sociology; The analysis of industrialization draws heavily upon general
theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of social change; The study
of work groups and industrial bureaucracy are simply special cases in the analysis
of the small group and formal organization.

Industrial Sociology does not exist as a separate field by virtue of a central

theoretical focus; It draws its theory and methods from a variety of sub disciplines
within sociology; The analysis of industrialization draws heavily upon general
theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of social change; The study
of work groups and industrial bureaucracy are simply special cases in the analysis
of the small group and formal organization.

The analysis of union-management relations relies mainly on concepts drawn from

broader theories dealing with collective behavior, power, and social conflict;
Ideally, the application of these various perspectives to the study of work
organizations enhances our understanding of social behavior; As Wilbert Moore
has noted; “If the study of Industrial Sociology has any significance for the general
body of sociological principles, it will be sociology before it is ‘industrial’.

Industrial Sociology was introduced in the late 60s and early 70s; the work of
Auguste Conte in the 3 stages of human development of the scientific stage
describes industrialization.

Karl Marx works on Capitalism relates the relationship between the bourgeois and
proletariats; the proletariats are the workers who produce the products and the
bourgeois are the owners of the means of production. The relationship makes it
easy for industrialization. Alienation at work-place between the owners of
industries and industry in also another cardinal point about industrialization, the
workers produces but has no rights over the production.

Max Weber in his bureaucracy also talks about industrialization; the relationships
in the work place both the vertical and horizontal stages, clearly shows
industrialization.

Before then, the industrial revolution took place in western Europe, there is
industrialization as at then, even though there are some problems associated with
industrialization e.g. separation of marriages, child employments, congestion in
work-place etc.

In the inter-war period (1919 – 1939), workers are involve in industrial abuses e.g.
workers don't work as expected and they are expected to be paid, the bourgeoisies
eagerness to derive high profit at a low cost also creates problems about
industrialization.

Fredrick W. Taylor states some basic conditions that would be given to workers to
make them produced maximum output. It provides some incentives to be given to
outstanding workers to compel others to put in their best. However with time,
productivity declines.

"Industrial sociology centers its attention on social organization of factory, the

store, and the office. This focus includes not only the interactions of people playing
roles in these organizations but also the ways in which their work roles
are interrelated with other aspects of their life" -Charles B. Spaulding.

Nature of Industrial sociology

As a distinct branch of sociology, industrial sociology has some basic

nature. This are-

 Total study of industrial society

 Explanatory and logic based study
 Research based study
 Neutral
 Research based studies
 A mixture of theoretical & practical knowledge
 Social welfare based

 Research based studies

 A mixure of theoretical & practical knowledge
 Social welfare based
Importance of Industrial sociology
Industrial sociology plays a vital role in our modern world. It offers
insights into the intricate relationship between industry, Society and
individuals. The following topics are important in industrial Sociology.
 Increase in Knowledge of Science
 Stability of industrial society
 Knowledge increasing
 Remedies to problem of Industrial Society
 Helping in personality development
 Choice of occupation
 Industrial planning
 Social and labour welfare
 Ensuring familial integration
 Peace and proseperity

As a social science, the nature of industrial sociology is an attempt understands and

analyses social processes of group life in industrial organization; as well as the
industrial society in a systematic manner as accurate as possible; in other words, it
has a scientific approach of studying behaviour in work situation;

Core Concepts in Industrial Sociology

Work and Labor

Organizational Structures

Power and Authority

Industrial Relations

Work and labor are central concepts in industrial sociology. Work refers to any
productive activity that individuals engage in, while labor specifically denotes paid
employment. Industrial sociologists explore various aspects of work, including the
nature of tasks, work conditions, employment relationships, and the meanings that
individuals attach to their work.
Division of Labor

The division of labor is a critical concept that describes the specialization of tasks
within an economy. Durkheim distinguished between mechanical solidarity, found
in pre-industrial societies where individuals performed similar tasks, and organic
solidarity, characteristic of industrial societies where specialized roles are
interdependent. The division of labor in industrial societies leads to increased
efficiency but also raises issues of alienation and worker exploitation.

Organizational Structures
Bureaucracy

Max Weber’s concept of bureaucracy is essential for understanding industrial

organizations. Bureaucracies are characterized by hierarchical structures, formal
rules, and impersonal relationships. Weber argued that bureaucracies are rational
systems designed to achieve efficiency and predictability, but they can also lead to
dehumanization and rigidity.
Informal Organizations

In contrast to formal organizational structures, informal organizations arise from

social interactions among workers. These include networks, norms, and informal
groups that influence workplace dynamics. The study of informal organizations
reveals the importance of social relationships and cultural norms in shaping work
experiences.
Power and Authority
Types of Authority

Weber identified three types of authority: traditional, charismatic, and rational-

legal. In industrial societies, rational-legal authority, based on formal rules and
procedures, predominates. This type of authority underpins bureaucratic
organizations and the legal frameworks governing labor relations.
Industrial Relations

Industrial relations refer to the relationships between employers, employees, and

trade unions. This area of study examines power dynamics, conflict resolution, and
collective bargaining processes. Industrial sociologists analyze how these
relationships shape workplace conditions, labor rights, and economic outcomes.

SCOPE OF INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY

Industrial sociology is an applied discipline. It is concerned with the study of

human relations as they grow and operate in the field of industries. It deals with the
sociological concepts that have relevance to industry. It concentrates upon the
social organizations of the work place or industry. It studies the patterns of
interaction between people in terms of their roles in industrial organizations.
Industrial organizations are also studied by other disciplines such as- industrial
management, industrial engineering, industrial psychology and economics. But
they study the phenomena of industry in different ways. Their studies sometimes
may overlap. Industrial engineering deals with the design of products and
equipment’s. Industrial management is more an art than a science. Industrial
psychology studies-the selection of personnel, job satisfaction, motivation and
incentive to work, team spirit, accident proneness and such other personal matters
and behavioural problems. Economics concentrates on such matters as-prices,
wages, profits, full employment, finance, monopoly, marketing, taxation, etc. But
none of these sciences focuses its attention on the social or human aspects of
industrial organizations. This task is done only by industrial sociology. Industrial
sociology studies industrial organization not as a technological or economic
organization, but more than that, as a social or human organization. It stresses up
on the social or interactional factors in industrial relations, formal and informal
organization, team work, communication etc. When interaction among two or more
persons is affected by the fact that one of them is a doctor, a teacher, a plumber, a
factory worker, a stenographer, a boss, an employee, a union leader, or an
unemployed person, we have before us the raw material of industrial sociology.
The industrial sociology deals with the total organization of the workplace. It also
deals with three different organizations which may be conceived of as
distinguishable but interrelated: namely, (a) management organization, (b)
informal organization of workers, and (c) union organization (a) 'Management
organization' refers to the relations between management and the workers. It also
includes policies, programmes-structure and the functioning of the management.
Its main emphasis is on the formal relations developed by the workers with the
management.(b) 'Informal organization' of workers consists of informal relations
developed voluntarily by the workers themselves. Such relations are established by
the individuals and small groups within the factory or industry. Such organizations
assume the forms of cliques, gangs, friendship groups, bands etc. These
organizations develop their own informal norms to control the activities of them
embers.( c) Union organization refers to the role of trade unions and the
participation or involvement of workers in union activities. Trade unions are
playing a vital role increasing industrial unrest and maintaining industrial peace.
They also control the formal and informal relations of the workers. These three
organizations of the industry are affected by the physical conditions of the work
place, fashions in management thinking, governmental and other social control, the
personalities of employees and their experiences in playing roles in other
organizations...

School of Thought

The symbolic interactionist perspective

The symbolic interactionist perspective, also known as symbolic interactionism,

directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life, what these
symbols mean, and how people interact with each other. Although symbolic
interactionism traces its origins to Max Weber's assertion that individuals act
according to their interpretation of the meaning of their world, the American
philosopher George H. Mead (1863-1 931) introduced this perspective to American
sociology in the 1920s. According to the symbolic interactionist perspective,
people attach meanings to symbols, and then they act according to their subjective
interpretation of these symbols. Verbal conversations, in which spoken words
serve as the predominant symbols, make this subjective interpretation especially
evident. The words have a certain meaning for the "sender," and, during effective
communication, they hopefully have the same meaning for the "receiver." In other
terms, words are not static "things"; they require intention and interpretation.
Conversation is an interaction of symbols between individuals who constantly
interpret the world around them. Of course, anything can serve as a symbol as long
as it refers to something beyond itself. Written music serves as an example. The
black dots and lines become more than mere marks on the page; they refer to notes
organized in such a way as to make musical sense. Thus, symbolic interactionists
give serious thought to how people act, and then seek to determine what meanings
individuals assign to their own actions and symbols, as well as to those of others.
Consider applying symbolic interaction ism to the American institution of
marriage. Symbols may include wedding bands, vows of life-long commitment, a
white bridal dress, a wedding cake, a Church ceremony, and music. American
society attaches general meanings to these symbols, but individuals also maintain
their own perceptions of that these and other symbols mean. For example, one of
the spouses may see their circular wedding rings as symbolizing "never ending
love," while the other may see them as a mere financial expense. Much faulty
communication can result from differences in the perception of the same events
and symbols. Critics claim that symbolic interactionism neglects the macro level of
social interpretation the "big picture." In other words, symbolic interactionists may
miss the larger issues of society by focusing too closely on the "trees" (for
example, the size of the diamond in the wedding ring) rather than the “forest" (for
example, the quality of the marriage). The perspective also receives criticism for
slighting the influence of social forces and institutions on individual interactions.

The functionalist perspective

According to the functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, each aspect

of society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole.
The government, or state, provides education for the children of the family, which
in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running. That is, the
family is dependent upon the school to help children grow up to have good jobs so
that they can raise and support their own families. In the process, the children
become law-abiding, taxpaying citizens, who in turn support the state. If all goes
well, the parts of society produce order stability, and productivity. !fall does not go
well, the parts of society then must adapt to recapture a new order, stability, and
productivity. For example, during a financial recession with its high rates of
unemployment and inflation, social programs are trimmed or cut. Schools offer
fewer programs. Families tighten their budgets. And a new social order, stability,
and productivity occur .Functionalists believe that society is held together by social
consensus, or cohesion, in which members of the society agree upon, and work
together to achieve, what is best for society as a whole. Emile Durkheim suggested
that social consensus take some of two forms: Mechanical solidarity is a form of
social cohesion that arises when people in society maintain similar values and
beliefs and engages in similar types of work. Mechanical solidarity most
commonly occurs in traditional, simple societies such as those in which everyone
herds cattle or farms. Amish society exemplifies mechanical solidarity. In contrast,
organic solidarity is a form of social cohesion that arises when the people in a
society are interdependent, but hold to varying values and belief sand engage in
varying types of work. Organic solidarity most commonly occurs in industrialized,
complex societies such those in large American cities like New York in the 2000s.
The functionalist perspective achieved its greatest popularity among American
sociologists in the 1940s and I 950s. While European functionalists originally
focused on explaining the inner workings of social order, American functionalists
focused on discovering the functions of human behavior. Among these American
functionalist sociologists is Robert Merton (b. 191 0), who divides human
functions into two types: manifest functions are intentional and obvious, while
latent functions are unintentional and not obvious. The manifest function of
attending a church or synagogue, for instance, is to worship as part of a religious
community, but its latent function may be to help members learn to discern
personal from institutional values. With common sense, manifest functions become
easily aparent. Yet this is not necessarily the case for latent functions, which often
demand a sociological approach to be revealed. A sociological approach in
functionalism is the consideration of the relationship between the functions of
smaller parts and the functions of the whole. Functionalism has received criticism
for neglecting the negative functions of an event such as divorce. Critics also claim
th

Importance of Industrial Sociology:

• Industrial sociology is of great practical importance.

• Industrial sociology has been of great help in finding solutions too many of
the industrial disputes and instances of industrial unrest.

• It has reduced the gap between industrial management and industrial

workers; It has also helped both to develop friendly relations.
• Industrial Sociology has stressed upon the important role of trade unions in
settling indus¬trial disputes.

• It has thrown light upon the problems of industrial workers. It has suggested
ways and means of improving the living conditions of workers.

• Various industrial sociological studies have impressed upon the management

and the gov¬ernment the need to undertake social security measures for promoting
labour welfare.

• Industrial sociology studies the relations between man’s industrial activities

on the one hand, and his political, economic, educational and other activities, on
the other.

• Industrial sociology also analyses the processes of industrialization and

urbanization, their magnitude and their mutual interaction.

• Finally industrial sociology plays a vital role in contributing to planned

industrial growth

• Increase in Knowledge of Science: The modern age is an age of science.

• Industrial society requires knowledge of science for thinking. Industrial

progress isa normal index of the progress of a nation. Scientific knowledge gets
solution of industrial problem. So industrial progress is not possible without the
knowledge of industrial sociology.

• Stability of Industrial Society: Systematic change is a necessary feature

ofmodern society. It is minimum stability is a condition a social progress. It does
notgoing out changes but the changes must be according to a systematic
pattern.Industrial sociology gets there principal of systematic change and progress.
• Knowledge Increasing: Industrial sociology defines the new section of
knowledge human mind. The present industrial society cannot be understood
without such knowledge. The Principal of industrial society are journal appearance
in developedcountry as well as.

• Remedies to Problems of Industrial Society: The revolution of industrial

society in our age has led to differences, changing status and the role of
socialinstitution etc., all these has resulted into several problem Choice of
Occupation: An important features of industrial society is division of labour.
Industrial sociology defines the methods which may be used for scientificpattern
and changes.

• Industrial Planning: This age is an age of planning everywhere. Every

personthose about planning for the minimum use of available resources. Industrial
progress is not possible without planning. Industrial planning means knowledge of
industrialsociology.

• Social and Labour Welfare: Most of the other problems are joint to labour
problem. When the labour class wants and important status an industrial society.
Social and labour welfare are mostly connected. Social welfare and labour welfare
both require a sound knowledge of industrial sociology.

• Aid to Familial Integration: Family is a unit of society. It is a central

positionof society. Most family in industrial area is integrated due to social evil
such as poor recreation, prostitution as alcoholism, absent of social control fastrate,
unhealthy condition of living, overcrowding and not sufficient house.