INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY
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;
??? GILLBERT (1972) defines Industrial
Sociology 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.
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.
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. (Refer to formal organization for more detailed information)
The above reasons are responsible for the emergence of Industrial sociology.
According to socialist, the power to
produce should be controlled by the state; whereas the capitalists say that the
means of production should be controlled by the individual.
SCOPE OF INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY
i.
It studies industries and the process of
industrialization historically.
ii.
They try to look at the role of the state
in the industrial development – what role does the state play in industrial
development? Government makes policies to cater for industrialization.
Sometimes government make embargo of some
certain products to help the local industries flourish. It provides loans to
industries; the educational system provides knowledge to enhance
industrialization.
iii.
It also looks at the influences of both
physical and social environment to industrial development and vice-versa.
iv.
It is interested with labour and
management and the totality of all the relationship that people entered in
workplace which could either is formal or informal; it could come in form of
horizontal relationship or vertical relationship. it tries to understand the
motivations given to workers and how the workers responds to such motivations
v.
It looks at workers outside the working
place; apart from the work place, the workers belongs to other places too e.g.
family, peer groups etc. what are the workers’ roles in such places and how
does it affects his or her performance in the work place.
RELEVANCE OF STUDYING INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY
1.
To acquire knowledge on the whole issues
of industrial relations in the workplace and the industrial process influence
to the society. To understand the nature of relationships in the work place,
the way these relationship work and how it works, to understand where authority
comes from and who is responsible for these authority. To understand how the
workplace relates to the environment and vice versa; how does the laws of the
workplace affects that of the society and vice versa etc.
2.
Production of personnel that will work in
different facts of the industrial life i.e. prepare individual’s life; it
provides knowledge to individuals to fit into any career of choice. It is a
conscious effort to prepare people to a profession (e.g. people who study
medicine become doctors, engineering courses breed engineers).
3.
Transfer knowledge that pertain
industrialization and industrial relationship from one generation to another
and also from one place to another.
4.
To contribute the students with the
ability to apply their knowledge and skills to proper solution to different
industrial problems. Industrial problems cut across the problems of
industrialization and the problems encountered in the workplace are that there
isn't enough mineral resources, finances, etc. in the country. Is it that
corruption disrupts industrialization, whether workers are not adequately
rewarded etc students study it to proper solution to different myriad of
problems in the industry. The discipline emerges to provide solutions to the
existing problems in the industries.
5.
Formulation of theories that will enhance
proper explanation and understanding of the whole issue of industrialization
and the relationships that human entered into at the process of production.
Scholars look at it from different perspective and formulate theories based on
the theory.
6.
To enhance proper management of human and
material resources for the development of the societies; the discipline
develops a thinking faculty; it provides critical thinking to solving problems
of industrialization to enhance social change. The consultants gather
information and facts on how to increase the efficiency of the worker. Fredrick
Taylor said that incentives in the form of higher wages should be given to the
best workers; that employer should reduce time wastage in the process of
production; producers were also requested to improve the living standards of
their workers, they should also provide training opportunities to the workers
e.g. seminars, workshops, etc. ensured working conditions of workers. Elton
mayor also suggested his own logic (Assignment)
MODERNIZATION THEORY
This
is a theory that advices the non-industrial world to follow the ways of the
industrial world in order to be industrialized. They believe that for one to be
modernized, they have to follow the same path the western world uses or
follows. Spencer is one of the proponents
of this theory. Talcott Parsons pattern
variables are also used by this theory. These variables (achievement and
ascription) Say that the Europeans follows the achievement patterns and that is
why they are modernized while the Africans who mostly rely on the ascription
variable and therefore, makes them remain backward.
Martin also
used the end-achievement module to make the modernization more pronounced. If
you want to be modernized, the end achievement must be followed. It is the
psychological syndrome that pushes one seeks for achievement and for achievement
and that the Africans lack such syndrome therefore, they are not modernized.
.......................?
takes the economic stages to implement the forces of product; the first stage
is Traditional Stage up to the last stage of product for mass consumption. The
traditional is the stage where cruel
implements of the products are used. The pre-condition takeoff is the next
stage where there is specialization, at this stage there is development of
transport where goods are moved and also labour moves from one place to
another. The take-off stage is the 3rd stage and in this stage, there is a
shift from agricultural products to manufacturing. Emphasis is still on
agriculture but manufacturing is very vital then; the next stage is the
production for mass consumption. Africans don’t pass through this stage that is
why they are backward and if they want to be modernized, they must follow these
stages.
DEPENDENCY
THEORY
States
that the problem of our non-industrialization should be traced to Europe; if we
are to be industrialized, our values and cultures must not be neglected because
before the Europeans came, the Africans where really creative and prospering in
their various fields. The contact with the Europeans brings the whole process
down, instead of progress, there is retardation. Rodney
argued that we should look at the history of Africa prior to their
contacts with the Europeans. The Africans where sold out who were very
promising (i.e. blacksmiths, farmers, well able men etc) and therefore left us
with unproductive members.
Samir Amin, Williams etc. said that
Africans should not be blamed for their underdevelopment, but the Europeans;
because since they follow their own ways and developed, they should allow the
Africans to also follows their own ways and prosper. They argue that all
society are moving from non-industrialization to industrialization and that
those at the front should not blame those following as underdeveloped because
they are all moving at their own pace.
PROLETARIANIZATION AND CLASS CREATION
Proletarianization is the process of
making people proletariats. The proletariats are those who have nothing but
labour to sell and meet their basic needs. They are also regarded as the "working class"
In the communal societies, nobody
owns anything, everything is owned by the community. But as time goes on, the
strong exploits the weak, the intelligent dominates the unintelligent etc and
as such, class is created. Domestication of animals requires land and the
owners of the animal become the masters and the land owners also employ those
that don't have land to farm for them (serfs and the lords). Businesses as at
that time were owned by the family; people involving in blacksmithing, cloth
weaving forms and class subsequently.
The British government introduced
the land enclosure system, where every landowner is expected to enclose their lands. Lands were used as at that
time and therefore, it is expected to fence on their small lands together but
there are some people who lack the money to finance the closing their land have
to sell their land and this makes them landless and therefore, had to resort to
selling of their labour in order to survive, this invention leads to the factory
system where sophisticated machines are used to produce a large commodity of
goods at a small period of time. People began to buy goods produced by the
factories because it is neater and better than the cottage industries and so,
industrialists have to close their own businesses and become workers to the
factory owners.
In France, land is allocated in
small piece to the citizens but large areas were given to the bourgeoisies, the
church which deprived the peasants to own large scale of land and therefore
improvises them and so, it widens the gap between the proletariats and the
capitalists; peasants are only involved in production and the capitalists
engaged in selling out the produce to other parts of the country.
Sometimes, the interest of the workers
are not protected and so, they begin to protest and the bourgeois had to begin
introducing welfare packages to reduce the tensions
In Nigeria, at the initial stage
corresponds to what is obtainable in Britain but at point in time, there was a
divergence the point of contact with the Europeans, imported from the
industrial nations. Our cottage industries became redundant because foreign
goods are given more priority and acceptable.
Most of the Africans become
proletariats and some are peasant farmers to produce for the industries in
Europe while others were employed to work for the European government to ensure
that there is peace and order.
After independence, the chain are
placed on our leaders to enable them derive the necessary raw materials to their
industries. Our leaders were being persuaded and dominated by the Europeans and
any leader that refuses their demands is subjected to international ridicule
and so we are indirectly controlled by them for their selfish needs.
WORK
Work
is refers to paid job but in other word, it is any physical activity that man
do consciously or consciously that is carried by man to satisfy his needs and
wants whether he is been paid or not. Also work is beyond physical activity but
also, it involves mental activities, psychological activities. Work can be
implicit and also explicit.
INDUSTRIALIZATION AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
Society
that uses mechanical power in the process of production rather than human and
animal power; it is a society where sophisticated machines are used; it
is predominated by the use of mechanical power. In industrial society there are
several occupational activities unlike in the rural society where it is
predominated by agriculture.
Characteristics of Industrial Societies
1.
Power-driving machines that performs
works.
2.
Involves a variety difference economic
activity.
3.
Increasing occupational specialization.
4.
There is division of labour.
5.
Production takes place in a formalized
way.
6.
Increased urbanization.
7.
A shift in status achievement from
ascription to achievement.
Changes That Emanated as a
Result of Industrialization
1.
Industrialization brings about change in
the method production.
2.
Invention and innovation in the area of
power.
3.
Telegram was invented which leads to easy
communication.
4.
Changes in the area of agriculture; using
heaving machines instead of using cows and men for making ridges, and so on.
5.
Brings efficiency that affected every
aspect of live in society.
6.
It leads to a new class structure, in
capitalist societies there are only two classes of people i.e. bourgeoisies and
the proletarians.
7.
It brings about a change in condition of
working class; i.e. chemicals affecting the workers; workers are seen as spare
parts – they are exposed to different kinds of risk etc.
8.
Industrialization leads to urbanization;
urbanization leads to the development of towns and cities, which leads to
unemployment, destitution, prostitution thugs, crimes of different forms
emerges as a result of urbanization.
9.
It cause the destruction of stable social
structures: Before industrialization, people live within their
own organized family, they have their own organized family, they have their own
norms, the ways of bringing up their own children but as industrialization
emerged, their structures were destroyed people leave their homes to the
cities.
10.It leads to the emergence
of new laws to suit the factory system. E.g. women Act, children Act,
employment contracts before industrialization; employment contracts doesn't
exist, the head of the household own the labour of his wife and his children.
Laws promulgated the minimum wages, laws for retirement etc.
APPROACHES TO INDUSTRIALIZATION
Approach
to industrialization varies according to societies but, there are two main
approaches, namely;
1.
Capitalist and
2.
Social Approaches.
FEATURES OF CAPITALIST SYSTEM
·
CLASS SYSTEM; bourgeoisies and working
class: The bourgeois owns the machines that are required for production and
also sometimes own lands. The working class is the class that don't own any
means of production. Their labour is commoditized. They lost their time;
someone controls their time for them.
·
COMPETITION IS EMINENT: Competition exists in
the capitalist society because the market is free and open. It’s this
competition that also gives raise to industrialization because of the
competition among the producers. if competition does not exist monopoly will
take over and if there is monopoly the prices will not be determine by the
market, producers will sale their goods at any price they want because he is
the only person in control. So, the presence of competition leads ..........
·
Capitalism is labelled, laissez-faire
economy; a free economy without intervention of the government; the basic
economic decisions are left alone to the producers i.e. where they will sales
their goods, the process in production, the price and so on, all will be
determined by the producers rather than the government. in the quest of making
more profits, risk has to be taking, increases the capacity of the production. The
sources of their capital are from the exploitation of resources within the
land, exploitation of human labour etc.
·
Capitalist societies are carried out by
the interest of the bourgeoisies: as capital is accrued, the machines will be
improve and improved from light machines/industry to small industry/machines
and later the larger machines.
SOCIALISM
This
is an economic system that is not owned by the bourgeoisies or the private
individuals, it is owned by the society, communities, and groups. (NB: In
communal societies peoples don’t own the machines, they depend on what nature
gave them whereas in the socialist people have machines)
Production is centrally planned;
there is planning committee comprises of some experts economist, people from
different socialization. The purpose of the planning is to ensure that the
resources reach everybody in that society; to ensure that both the human and
material resources are adequately used. It involves a coordination of different
factories; all economic activities are geared according to the plan. Workers
are responsible for the creation of day to day activities. Factory disciplines,
techniques of products and other issues that have to do with production are
determine by the workers. Because of this, democracy is eminent, where votes
needed to be casted for the interest of all and everyone has equal right and
chance; they choose a leader from among themselves to lead them.
Workers do not own the factories but
it’s owned by the society. They are expected to adequate take care of these
means of production. If they don't own it, how did the workers have it? It is
because taxes and levies were collected from the people and also the banks,
from the resources available on that land.
Labour is not commoditize; when a
worker works, he is working for himself unlike in the capitalist societies, you
don't work for somebody and at the end you are paid in the workplace, you
organize yourselves and determine who gets what from what you produce on the
basis of your equality and your contributions.
FACTORS THAT PRECIPITATED
TO INDUSTRIALIZATION IN BRITAIN
Revolution
means a shift or sudden change in a society. Industrial Revolution means a
shift from primitive mode of production to mechanized form. It was started in
middle of 19th century to early 20th century. The technological progress
achieved by Britain is called the Britain
Technological Revolution. The following factors prompted for
industrial revolution in Britain;
1.
Agrarian Revolution: There is a change in
method of production in the area of agriculture, people own small pieces of
land scattered all over, making the forms to have demarcations between “person
A” and “person B”'s land. People began to agree to exchange their land so that
they will merge all their land into one piece of land. At that point,
government brought out a law that says you must fence your land and people have
to sell their lands because they can't afford to fence it. Also, having small
pieces of land scattered at different locations makes it impossible to use
machines by the poor and therefore, have to extinguish it to the rich who can afford
to use mechanized farming on their large land. Also the use of fertilizer,
seedlings, hybrids etc. makes it easy for production of larger products that
can sustain many people. The revolution provided enough food for people in the
industrialized area; small land holding was greatly discouraged and large land
holding was encouraged.
2.
The Presence of Relative
Peace in Britain: While other countries are at wars e.g. France is engulfed in series of
revolutions, U.S.A is experiencing about 100years of war as at then, Russia,
Germany all are faced with one uprising or the other, Britain was enjoying relative peace which
causes the way for investment and development. Britain was as that time was
relatively more peaceful.
3.
England Was already a
Great Commercial Power: This is as a result of imperialism (direct or indirect means of
controlling the economy of others). Before colonialism, Britain has enormous
influence all over the world especially countries which they colonized and
these areas sees England as center of trade for them.
4.
Rising Population: Due to increased food
production, hygiene food health services etc. Britain was able to have a very
large population which is all productive; in 1750, the population of Britain
was about 6million, 30years later it reached to 14million and in the early 20th
century; it increased to about 33million.
5.
Inventions and
Innovations:
Provisions of skills and adequate education encouraged inventions and
innovations. Entrepreneurs are willing to sponsor any invention that can be
done to improve their productivity. These inventions take place in different
ways, one leading to another. the textile invention in Lancashire is a very good example of invention
and innovation then, due to this, Ely Whitney
invented the flying shuttle (used for
yarning), in 1967, the spinning shuttle
was invented.
6.
Revolution in the Area of
Power:
Certainly, power is needed to drive machines or work. Before this revolution,
human and animal power was used; the log from the forest is used to burn and make
fire to smelt things. Then charcoal came into use as a result of this
inventions especially in the area of textile, these was needed for real power
to make machines works, so coal were used to generate power for the machines,
then came the development of steam engines which was invented by John Watt (1765).
The steam engine resulted to the factory system; iron was mined not only in
Britain but to other colonies, so things were melted to not only constructing
machines but to build rail way for trains, pots, plates, cars, etc.
7.
The Location of Britain: This also causes it to
industrialize because it is strategically located, which forms its development.
INDUSTRIALIZATION IN JAPAN
1.
They encourage the importation of machines
from the west (big machines used in France, Germany, Britain and other western
countries).
2.
They look at the technology and
technicians and receive then in Japan.
3.
They allow economic interferes [laissez faire]
but they did not remove their hand completely but rather encourage people on
the issue; they set a factory and finance the factories and sold to the people.
4.
They instituted the quality assurance; the
goods produce has to be tasted before they can be used internally and to other
countries.
5.
Education; in order to straighten their
imperialism they encourage education, they did not abandoned their tradition
but copy the education of France and Germany. The curriculum was fashioned to
reflect what they will practice in the future.
6.
The structure of production was
complicated in manner that each large companies has subsidiaries companies
which will be responsible for producing the various parts of a product and the
large companies will be assembling the various part produced by their
subsidiaries companies/branches.
7.
At the period of First World War (1914 – 1918)
industrialization boosted in Japan because as at that time; Japan were not in
the war, rather, they focused on industrialization.
8.
Organization in the factory system:
industrial-dualization in the sense that the mother industry is allow producing
hand-in-hand with the traditional industries.
9.
Location of Japan also plays a vital role.
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