Industrial Sociology

This field studies work, occupations, and organizations — the social organization of labour, the experience and control of work, and the structure and behaviour of organizations.

Scope

It covers bureaucracy and organizational structure, the labour process and control, professions and occupations, and organizational fields and institutions.

Core questions

• How is work organized and controlled?
• How do bureaucracies and organizations function?
• Why do organizations come to resemble one another?
• How do occupations and professions form?
• How does work shape social life and identity?

Key concepts

• Bureaucracy
• Labour process and deskilling
• Organizational fields
• Institutional isomorphism
• Professions
• Control of work

Key theories

Bureaucracy

Weber's ideal type of rational-legal bureaucracy remains the baseline model of modern organizations.

Labour process theory

Braverman argued capitalist management degrades and deskills work to control the labour process.

Institutional isomorphism

DiMaggio and Powell explained why organizations in a field become similar through coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures.

History

From Weber's theory of bureaucracy through the human-relations and labour-process (Braverman) traditions, the field was reshaped by new institutionalism (DiMaggio-Powell) and now studies precarious work, professions, and organizational change.

Debates

Does management deskill or upgrade work?

Braverman's deskilling thesis contends with accounts of upgrading and worker discretion.

Key figures

• Max Weber
• Harry Braverman
• Paul DiMaggio
• Walter Powell

Seminal works

• weber-1922
• braverman-1974
• dimaggio-powell-1983

Frequently asked questions

What is institutional isomorphism?

The tendency of organizations in the same field to become similar through coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures (DiMaggio & Powell).