Unit 1:

Introduction to sociology and Industrial sociology.

Definition of sociology:

A. Auguste Comte: Science of human group.

B. Maclver and Page: Sociology is the study of society and society is

web of social relations.

C. George Simmel: Sociology is the science of the forms of human inter-

relations.

Industrial Sociology:

A. Industrial Sociology is the application of sociology approach to

the reality and problem of industry (P. Gisbert).

B. George Elton Mayo is considered as father of Industrial Sociology

Importance of industrial sociology :

A. Insight into the social aspect of Industry

B. Use of scientific method

C. Solution to the problems of Industrial Society

D. Familial integration

E. Scientific division of labour

 F. Increase in rationalization

G. Employer-Employee Relationship

H. Problem of Automation

I. Labour of social welfare

J. Increase in knowledge

K. Creates effective organizations

L. Study of attitude and perception

M. Better understanding of organisation

N. Industrial Relations

Nature and scope of industrial society

Nature of Industrial sociology:

Industrial sociology can be considered as scientific as it is empirical,

theoretical, cumulative and value-neutral (Singh, 2011: 10). Industrial

sociology is considered as a science as it fulfills the basic requirement

and goals of science.

Scope of Industrial Sociology:

The scope of industrial sociology includes the study of those economic

organizations which have the primary aim of producing goods and

services, exchanging them, or organizing and manipulating monetary

process.
 Flowchart of social relations in Industry:

Social
relations in
industry

Internal
External
relations
relations

Formal Informal Mixed

relations Relations Relations
(Symbolic (Consensual
relations) relations)

Statutory Individual’s Group’s

Organizational
informal Informal
relations Relations Relations Relations

Social relations are of two type:

1. Internal relations

2. External relations
Internal relations are subdivided into: formal relations, informal relations and

mixed relations

A. Formal relations are further subdivided into organizational relations

and statutory relations

B. Informal relations are further subdivided into individual’s informal

relations and groups’ informal relations.

Formal relations are established among individuals on account of their work

and positions.

A. Organizational relations are a type of formal relation which is

established between management and employee.

B. Statutory relations are a type of formal relation which are sanctioned

by law and custom.

Informal relations spontaneously arise everywhere in industry

A. individual’s informal relations arise among human beings especially

beyond rules and regulations.

B. groups’ informal relations arise among group at work place.

external relations: It exist between firm and external persons.

Relations between sociology and other social sciences

A. Industrial Sociology and General Sociology

B. Anthropology and sociology

C. Psychology and sociology

D. Economics and sociology

E. History and sociology

F. Political science and sociology

 Development of Industrial Sociology

Human relations School:

Sociological and psychological phenomenon exerts greater influence on output

than physical condition of work. Therefore, management must be concerned

with informal, spontaneous behavior of work group and sentiments and attitudes

of employees. This led to a new school of thought known as human relations

school of management.

Factor affecting human relations:

a. Individuals

b. Work group

c. Leader

d. Work environment

Contributions to Human relations approach:

A. Social system

B. Social environment

C. Informal organizations

D. Group dynamics

E. Informal leaders
 F. Two-way communication

G. Non-economic reward

Criticism of Human relations approach

A. Lack of scientific validity

B. Limited focus on work

C. Over emphasis on group

D. Over stress on socio-psychological factors

E. Negative views of conflict.

Social Organizations in Industry- Bureaucracy

Weber: Bureaucracy is an Organisation with a hierarchy of full time officials

who forms a chain of command.

He conceived bureaucracy as an abstract system for rational solution to

management problems.
Features of bureaucracy:

1. Division of work & specialization

A. high degree of division of work at operative and administrative level.

2. Hierarchy of position

A. Like pyramid structure

B. Chain of command and responsibility

3. Rules and procedures

A. Governed by consistent system of abstract rule and application of

rules to particular cases.

B. Strict discipline and control leaving little room for personal initiative

and discretion.

4. Impersonal relations

A. Decision are guided by rules and regulations, which are totally

impersonal

5. Staffing

A. Personal are employed by contractual relationship between employer

and employee. Employees get salary every month.

6. Technical competence

A. Selection based on technical competence.

7. Extensive filing system of official records

 A. An efficient system of record keeping to support administration of

bureaucratic Organisation.

Functions of bureaucratic structure:

1. Dispersal of authority

A. Power is not vested in single individual

2. Continuity

A. Continuance does not depend of single or group of executives.

Executives and employees alike are replaceable.

3. Consistency of action

A. Large bureaucracy has consistency of action

B. For production of standardized products and services on time

bureaucratic form of Organisation cannot be surpassed.

4. Rationality of action

A. Rational behavior

B. Rational behavior emerges out of impersonality in relationship

C. Power in bureaucratic structure is institutional and legal

5. Predictability of behavior

A. Predictability of behavior in bureaucratic structure

B. Reliability of officers and formal relations

6. Efficiency
 A. Efficiency due to rationality, consistency and predictability of

behavior

B. Division of labour and specialization

Dysfunction of bureaucracy:

Robert k. Merton said some bureaucratic procedures may be dysfunctional to

Organisation.

Some dysfunctions to bureaucracy are:

Trained incapacity – person is trained to look matter from single point of view.

Merton argues it harms organizational goal.

1. Rigidity of behavior

A. It brings consequences in the form of reduction of personal relationship,

categorization in decision making process and internalization of rules by

individual members.

2. Goal displacement

A. It occurs when resources are used other than for which organisation exists.

3. Hoarding authority

A. If manager is not capable then employees became lethargic and

unproductive.

4. Bureaucratic sabotage
A. Subordinate may hide necessary information from bureaucrat

B. Superior controls everything so subordinate do only what superior directs.

Factory Management Theories

1. Taylor’s theory of Scientific Management

Four Principles of Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory:

1. Scientific approach to work

2. Replacement of old practices

3. Humanistic relationship

4. Division of labour

Explanations of Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory:

A. Scientific approach to production process

B. Replaced old practices and introduced training of workers

C. Division of labour among workers and managers- decision making

shifted from workers to managers

D. Hierarchical order among workers

E. Reduction of unnecessary movements

F. Motivational programmes for workers

G. In-service training
 H. Giving incentives in the form of extra wages to those who worked at

a faster pace.

2. Thomson’s Experiment (Ball Bearing Factory)- provision of rest among

workers increased productivity.

Criticism:

A. Alienation of workers, deskilling of workers, and

dehumanization

B. Clash of interest between managers and workers

C. Retraining opposed by workers

D. Workers’ personalities are not taken care of.

3. Personnel Management theory- Robert Owen

A. Introduced social reforms and cooperative movements-

especially between workers and managers

B. Introduced humanist ideas in the industrial setting

C. Introduced labour laws

D. Progressive ideas such as made provisions for eight hours

of work a day

E. Banned children’s labour under 10 years of age

 F. Stressed on making agreements rather than imposing

ideas on workers

G. Banned beating of children and night shifts for children

less than 18 years of age.

H. Did not believe in supremacy of machines.

Assignment:

Poster making based on unit 1 syllabus which includes the following topic:

Industrial Sociology: Nature, Scope and Importance of Industrial Sociology.

Social Relations in Industry, Social organisation in Industry- Bureaucracy,

Scientific Management and Human Relations.

References:

Singh Gyanendra and Shilpi. 2011. Industrial Sociology. Nandani Prakashan

Pvt. Ltd.

Raj, Ashok. 2012. Industrial Sociology. S. K. Kataria & Sons.

Singh, Narendar. 2011. Industrial Sociology. Tata McGraw-Hill. New Delhi

Kapoor, Pramvir. 2018. Sociology and Economics for Engineers, Khanna

Publication House.