Sociology Work Industry

First published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This popular text effectively explains and justifies the use of the sociological imagination to understand the nature of institutions of work, occupations, organizations, management and employment, and how they are changing in the twenty-first century. With outstanding breadth of coverage, it provides an authoritative overview of both traditio

Long-haul trucks have been described as sweatshops on wheels. The typical long-haul trucker works the equivalent of two full-time jobs, often for little more than minimum wage. But it wasn’t always this way. Trucking used to be one of the best working-class jobs in the United States. The Big Rig explains how this massive degradation in the quality of work has occurred, and how companies achieve a compliant and dedicated workforce despite it. Drawing on more than 100 in-depth interviews and years of extensive observation, including six months training and working as a long-haul trucker, Viscelli explains in detail how labor is recruited, trained, and used in the industry. He then shows how inexperienced workers are convinced to lease a truck and to work as independent contractors. He explains how deregulation and collective action by employers transformed trucking’s labor markets--once dominated by the largest and most powerful union in US history--into an important example of the costs of contemporary labor markets for workers and the general public.

In the fourth edition of this successful and popular text, Tony Watson explains how the discipline of sociology contributes to our wider understanding of the variety of work practices and institutions, which exist in modern society. The new edition outlines both what has been achieved historically and what is currently being achieved by the sociological study of work, as well presenting a range of concepts, models and other theoretical ideas that students and researchers can apply to the study of work. Subjects covered include: * how working patterns have changed, and continued to change since the industrial revolution * work organizations * innovations in the structuring of work activities at the enterprise level * the occupational aspects of the organization of work in changing societies * how people experience and cope with the pressures, insecurities and inequalities of a restructured world of work * how challenge and resistance influence the shaping of work in an ever-changing world. Fully updated throughout, this book includes an all-new chapter on the distinctiveness of the sociological perspective along with guidance on the research and analysis of work. It will be essential reading for anybody studying the sociology of work and organizations.

In the third edition of this successful and popular text, Tony Watson explains how the discipline of sociology can contribute to our wider understanding of the variety of work practices and institutions which exist in modern societies. He travels the full journey from the founding ideas of the discipline to postmodernist departures and develops all the main areas: occupations; organizations; work experience; industrial relations; industrial society and theory. The book ends with a thoroughly revised chapter covering the major questions of how work experience and global patterns of relationships are changing now and may change in the future. Thoroughly revised and presented in a new and accessible format, this third edition of "Sociology, Work and Industry" will prove an indispensable guide to a massive and complex field.

Sociology, Work and Organisation builds on the five popular and successful editions of Sociology, Work and Industry. The new text is outstanding in how effectively it explains the value of using the sociological imagination to understand the nature of institutions of work, organisations, occupations, management and employment and how they are changing in the 21st century. The book combines intellectual depth with accessible language and a user-friendly layout. It is unrivalled in the breadth of its coverage and its authoritative overview of both traditional and emergent themes in the sociological study of work and organisation. It explains the basic logic of the sociological analysis of work and the way work is organised, whilst also providing an appreciation of the different theoretical traditions which the subject draws upon. It fully considers: the direction and implication of trends in technological change, globalisation, labour markets, work organisation, managerial practices and employment relations 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 the ways in which workers challenge, resist and make their own contributions to the patterning of work and shaping of work institutions. Key features include: a new sign-posting system which integrates material and brings out themes which run through the various chapters; ‘key issue’ guides and summaries with each chapter; and the identifying of key concepts throughout the book, which are then brought together in an unrivalled glossary and concept guide at the end.

In the third edition of this successful and popular text, Tony Watson explains how the discipline of sociology can contribute to our wider understanding of the variety of work practices and institutions which exist in modern societies. He travels the full journey from the founding ideas of the discipline to postmodernist departures and develops all the main areas: occupations; organizations; work experience; industrial relations; industrial society and theory. The book ends with a thoroughly revised chapter covering the major questions of how work experience and global patterns of relationships are changing now and may change in the future. Thoroughly revised and presented in a new and accessible format, this third edition of "Sociology, Work and Industry" will prove an indispensable guide to a massive and complex field.