It is the application of
sociological approach to the reality and problems of industry. The importance
attached to the subject can be gauged to the fact that India has committed to
the industrial development as a necessary means to solve its economic and
social problems. Here, we have to understand key terms: ‘industry’ and
‘sociology.’
Industry- Industry may be understood
as, ‘the application of complex and sophisticated methods for the production of
economic goods and services’.
These complex methods,
implying use of machinery, have been devised to improve quality and quantity of
production.
To shine, enter
into industry. From food gatherer to food producer, man has always
been industrial, i.e., hard-working. Coming together and start living in a
group, man always tried to develop. He has always used tools to get food and
satisfy his needs. To get his daily breads, pre-literate man used digging
stick, hoe or bow and arrow. Anthropology and History show that man has always
been not only user of tools but also maker of tools, i.e., homo Faber.
Adjustment, one of the characteristics of man, makes man move from means to
ends, to achieve his objectives. That is why man is also called homosapiens
(intelligent man) and so homo industrialise (industrial man).
From French Industrie or Latin industria, here group of diligent and
hard-working men came together and formed a unit to carry economic activity
concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in
factories.
Sociology- The Science, dealing with
the behavior of man living in group, which developed over a period
of time, is known as Sociology or Science of society. Society itself
consists in the web of social relationships with the combinations and
complexities arising from them, as clique (a small group of people who spend
time together and do not allow others to join them), groups, associations,
institutions, systems, etc.
The root or beginning of
society is the social relationship which essentially develops on mutual
awareness, followed by reciprocal interrelations and interactions. Thus, we may
say that strangers do not make society. Like, two students come to college from
different areas, different backgrounds and never seen each other in past.
Though physically present in college, they have not found occasion to start
talking. But when they come close to each other on introduction, the social
relationship begins to emerge and may even become more complex when they begin
to deal with each other or talk business.
Generally, sociology is
restricted to the field of study of social institutions or social systems as
the family or state, the village or factory etc. The objectives are undoubtedly
legitimate, but there does not seem to be any cogent reason to exclude
other social realities, such as group or social relationship itself.
Any reality, especially a
complex reality like industry, can be studied from various points of view,
such as technological, physical, psychological etc. But we must give
emphasis to the sociological aspect or social element that manifests itself in
industry.
Definitions
1) “Industrial
Sociology is concerned with industry as a social system, including those
factors (technical, economic, political) which affect the structure, the
functions and the changes in that system.”- Smith J.H., Industrial
Sociology, UNESCO Publication
2) “Industrial
Sociology is a substantive area of general sociology which might more
accurately be termed the sociology of work organisations or sociology of
economy.”- D.C. Miller and W.H. Form, Industrial Sociology, New York
3) “Lupton
has been more specific and advanced the study of the social system of the
factory and of the influences external to the factory which affects that
system.”- Ibid
4) “Industrial
Sociologists centre their interests upon the social organisations of the work
place, including the pattern of interaction among people who are responding to
one another in terms of their roles in work organisations or whose behaviour is
being affected by those roles.”- Charles B. Spaulding
5) “Industrial
Sociology is concerned with how the economic subsystem is related to other
sub-system, how the sub-system is structured in terms of particular work
organisation and roles and how persons fit into these roles.”- Parker S.R.,
Brown R.K. and others.
Scope
of Industrial Sociology
Every science has its own areas of inquiry. It becomes
difficult for any one to study a science systematically unless its boundaries
are demarcated and scope determined precisely. Unfortunately, there is no
consensus on the part of Industrial sociologist with regard to the scope of
Industrial sociology. V. F. Calberton comments. "Since sociology is so
elastic a science, it is difficult to determine just where its boundaries began
and ends, where Industrial sociology becomes social psychology and where social
psychology becomes Industrial sociology, or where economic theory becomes
sociological doctrine or biological theory becomes sociological theory
something, which is impossible to decide.
Significances
/ Value of industrial sociology in India
Industrial
Sociology has acquired values in progressive society where industrial
revolution played great role which was necessitated to cater the growing
demands of ever increasing population.
Following
benefits increase the values of Industrial Sociology:
1. Use of Scientific Methods
Industrial
Sociology acquires great value in view of scientific methods adapted to study.
To understand it by establishing cause-effect relationship, scientific
knowledge helps. All round progress of mankind depends upon moving up the
ladder of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, i.e., food (bottom-most need).
With
the onset of industrial revolution, development of industries took the center
stage. Industrial development in any nation became a key factor in deciding the
progress of that nation. As science helped in industrial development, the
systematic knowledge acquired using scientific methods human behavior became
very handy. Thus industrial sociology as a subject of study gained currency.
Various institutions dealing with industrial society, its social control,
social dynamics, social change, problems and their remedies came up and thereby
widened the scope of industrial sociology. It would not be exaggeration to say
that without knowledge of industrial sociology industrial progress could not
have been achieved. The importance of industrial sociology made the premise of
setting up Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai.
2. Understanding the Social
Aspect of Industry
The
orderly movement of things based on certain rules takes any work to logical
conclusion. That is the importance of science and that is why it is called
specialised knowledge. To gauge the development of any nation, the position of
its industries plays a great role. The contribution of industries to the
well-being of citizens of its country and humanity at large has become now
predominant in the index of development of any nation. That is why Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a buzzword in developing country like
India. Industrial Sociology has added new dimension to the knowledge of
humanity. The workmen, who do work, execute the design that is taken from drawing
board to floor, are vital link between theory and practice. So called labour
class, workmen are to be trained, taught and toughened so that they become
finest craftsmen. The social strata, importance of roles and problems of
workmen are to be addressed in such a way that there ever remain cordial
industrial relations and industrial peace should bring development in
industries.
3. Solutions from Industrial Society to the
Problems of Industry
Based
on knowledge and experience people are employed in industries leading to
formation of various layers taking care of different job roles and
responsibilities. Industrial Revolution gave birth to industries which were
organised to achieve its objectives. Job roles decided expertise, division of
labour and degree of responsibility and thus created vertical and horizontal
set up in the organisation. Occupation hazards are associated with industries
which require matching counter balance in the form of money, perks, glamour and
other welfare measures.
As
workmen, supervisors, executives, policymakers are associated with any
industry, a stratum is formed which gives feeling of differentiation,
status-consciousness, inferiority-superiority complex etc.
4. Industrial Relations
Industrial
relations play vital role in development of industries in any country. The
management policies, its objective, long-term and short-term goals decide its
working environment. In-short, we can say the mission and vision of any company
in theory and practice speak about the company. The relationship between
workman and management has to be harmonious for industrial rest and once that
is there, industrial progress is bound to happen. Production has to multiply.
The production coupled with quality is the need for growth of any industry.
Industrial Sociology helps in achievement of this objective. Important factors
playing great roles in good industrial relations are rates of wages, working
conditions, welfare measures, recruitment policy, job-security etc. Welfare
measures are widely covered under the heading of food, cloth and house.
Industrial Sociology is gaining importance due to its role played in taking
care of all these discussed matters. Mutual trust, sense of belonging, feeling
of ownership, team spirit are knitting social industrial fabric which
ultimately result into higher quality production and give sustenance and thus
growth is achieved. Initial steps of ladder of hierarchy of needs of Maslow
viz. food, safety and security are very important to be given top-most priority
to make workmen take their duty seriously.
5. Division of Labour
Every
one cannot do everything. In India, caste system worked well earlier. In fact,
people were easily adopting family profession. However, with good progress in
education people started coming out of family business. The sharpening of mind,
learning skills of other’s profession and zeal and zest make people go for the
occupation which make them happy.
Thus
caste system, which earlier caused impediment in economic progress, is losing
its effect. Not by design but by default, industrial progress caused mingling
particularly in industrial society. Thus caste-system is being eliminated and
division of labour is made based on certain other factors viz. innate ability,
training, choice etc. Now scientific division of labour in industry demands
good knowledge as per profession. Here, role of industrial sociology comes to
play.
6. Economic Planning
After
India gained freedom, the progress of nation was to be carried out on solid
foundations and thus it adopted Five-Year Plan growth approach. Called temples
of modern India by first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, industrial
growth was aimed in five-year plan to solve many problems arisen mainly out of
population. Illiteracy, low level of wages, corruption, lack of trained people
and professional approach are some of the problems which require intervention
of industrial sociologists.
7. Industrial Automation
Industrial
revolution came with onset of mechanisation. The increased requirements of
people necessitated invention of steam engine to mechanise processes such as
cloth weaving in England. More automation means less manual work and in turn
less employment. It gave more profits to industrialists and so more automation
was opposed by workmen’s unions. Here role of industrial sociologist brings
solution to the dispute.
8. Industrial Management
Industrial
management requires scientific approach to take care of turnover, sustenance of
activity, quality and other variable factors. Human approach is given in industrial
management where all elements of production are most efficiently employed
without any exploitation.
9. Integration of Family
The
unit of any society is family which requires special attention. Any disturbance
caused due to any social evil such as alcoholism, insufficient housing, bad
recreation, uncontrolled media, and print as well as electronic would
disorganise industrial society in particular. Disintegration of family is bound
to happen. Industrial Sociology gives insight leading to solutions of many
problems arisen out of progress in industries.
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