Presentation on theme: "ORGANIZING SOCIAL LIFE The Sociological Perspective"— Presentation transcript: 1 ORGANIZING SOCIAL LIFE The Sociological Perspective 2 part ORGANIZING SOCIAL LIFE The Sociological
Perspective McGraw-Hill © 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
2 GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS 6 GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS Understanding Groups Understanding Organizations Organizational Change
Technology’s Impact on the Workplace Social Policy and Organizations: The State of the Unions
3 Understanding Groups Types of Groups Group A number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a
regular basis. Examples of groups are: fraternities dance companies Clubs tenants’ associations
4 Understanding Groups Types of Groups Primary Group Secondary
Group This term refers to a small group characterized by intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation. Secondary Group This term refers to formal, impersonal groups in which there is little social intimacy or mutual understanding.
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Understanding Groups Primary Group Secondary Group Table 6.1: Comparison of Primary and Secondary Groups Primary Group Secondary Group Generally small Usually large Relatively long Relatively short duration, period of interaction often temporary Intimate, face-to-face Little social intimacy association or mutual understanding Some emotional Relationships
generally depth in relationships superficial Cooperative, friendly More formal and impersonal
6 Understanding Groups Types of Groups In-Groups Out-Groups In-groups are any groups or categories to which
people feel they belong. Out-Groups Out-groups are any groups or categories to which people feel they do not belong.
7 Understanding Groups Studying Small Groups Small Groups Small groups are groups small enough
for all members to interact simultaneously (to talk with one another or at least be well acquainted).
8 Understanding Groups Focus Groups 10–15 people assembled by a researcher to discuss a predetermined topic, such as a new product or a need in the community.
Developed by Robert Merton and colleagues at Columbia University
9 Understanding Groups Reference Groups A reference group is any group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating their own behavior. Reference groups set and enforce standards of
conduct and belief Reference groups serve as a standard against which people can evaluate themselves and others.
10 Understanding Groups Studying Small Groups Size of Group Smaller groups have greater interaction
opportunities. Dyad: A two-member group. Triad: A three-member group. Coalition: A temporary or permanent alliance geared toward a common goal.
11 Understanding Organizations Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies Formal Organization
A formal organization is a special-purpose group designed and structured for maximum efficiency. Examples of formal organizations: the U.S. Post Office McDonald’s restaurants the Boston Pops this college
12 Understanding
Organizations Coalitions An alliance geared towards a common goal -The effects of group size and coalitions Survivor
13 Understanding Organizations Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Bureaucracy A bureaucracy is
a component of formal organization in which rules and hierarchical ranking are used to achieve efficiency. Ideal Type Bureaucracy This term indicates a construct or model serving as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated.
14 Understanding
Organizations Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies A formal organization is a group designed for a special purpose, structured for efficiency. U.S. Postal Service McDonald’s Your college or university
15 Understanding
Organizations Table 6.2: Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Negative Consequence Characteristic Positive Consequence For the Individual For the Organization Division of labor Produces efficiency in Produces trained Produces a narrow large-scale corporation incapacity perspective Hierarchy of authority Clarifies who is in Deprives employees Permits concealment of command of a voice in decision mistakes making
Written rules and Let workers know what Stifle initiative and Lead to goal regulations is expected of them imagination displacement Impersonality Reduces bias Contributes to feelings Discourages loyalty to of alienation company Employment based on Discourages favoritism Discourages ambition Fosters Peter principle technical qualifications and reduces petty to improve oneself rivalries elsewhere
16 Understanding Organizations Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Bureaucratization Bureaucratization is the process by which a group, organization, or social movement becomes increasingly bureaucratic. Oligarchy An oligarchy is a bureaucracy ruled by a few.
17 Understanding Organizations Bureaucracy and Organizational Culture Scientific Management Approach Workers are motivated by economic rewards. Productivity is limited by physical restraints of the workers. Human Relations Approach
The roles of people, communication and participation within a bureaucracy are emphasized. Workers’ feelings, frustrations and emotional needs are the focus of this approach.
18 Understanding Organizations Organization Chart: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(I) Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel NASA Advisory Council Inspector General Office of the Administrator Chief Financial Officer General Counsel Equal Opportunity Programs External Relations Legislative Affairs Human Resources and Education Procurement Public Affairs Policy and Plans Management Systems and
Facilities Safety and Mission Assurance Headquarters Operations Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization STAFF OFFICES PROGRAM Source: Office of the Federal Register The United States Government Manual Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, p. 586.
19 Understanding Organizations Organization Chart: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (II) Earth Science Space Flight Life and Micro- gravity Sciences and Applications Space Science Aero-space Technology Goddard Space Flight
Center Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center John F. Kennedy Space Center George C. Marshall Space Flight Center John C. Stennis Space Center Jet Propulsion Laboratory Ames Research Center Dryden Flight Research Center Langley Research Center John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field OFFICES PROGRAM CENTERS Source: Office of the
Federal Register The United States Government Manual Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, p. 586.
20 Understanding Organizations Voluntary Associations Organizations established on the basis of common interest, whose members volunteer or even pay to
participate. “Formal organizations” and “voluntary organizations” are not mutually exclusive.
21 Understanding Organizations Figure 6.1: Membership in Voluntary Associations in the United States Source: J. Davis and Smith 2001:347.
22 Organizational Change Goal Multiplication Goal multiplication takes place when an organization expands its purposes. This is generally the result of changing social or economic conditions that threaten the organization’s survival.
23 Organizational Change Goal Succession Goal succession occurs when a group or organization has either realized or been denied its goal. If it is to continue, it must then identify an entirely new objective.
24 Technology’s Impact on the Workplace Telecommuting Telecommuters are employees who work full-time or part-time at home rather than in an outside office. Telecommuters are linked to their supervisors and colleagues through computers, phones, and fax
machines. Telecommuting may move society further along the continuum from Gemeinschaft to Gesellschaft.
25 Technology’s Impact on the Workplace Electronic Communication Benefits is efficient, rapidly communicated, and
democratic. gives an organization the benefit of experiences and views of more of its workforce.
26 Technology’s Impact on the Workplace Electronic Communication Disadvantages is so easy to do that it can inundate a worker with
too many messages. doesn’t convey body language which in face-to-face communication can soften insensitive phrasing and make unpleasant messages (such as a reprimand) easier to take. leaves a permanent record which can be a problem when messages are written in a reckless and thoughtless manner.
27 Social Policy and Socialization The State of the Unions The Issue What has happened to diminish the importance of organized labor unions? Have unions perhaps outlived their usefulness in a rapidly changing global economy dominated by the service industry?
28 Social Policy and Organizations The State of the Unions The Setting Labor unions consist of organized workers sharing either the same skill or the same employer. The experience of unions varies widely in different countries. Continued...
29 Social Policy and Organizations The State of the Unions The Setting Reasons given for the decline of labor unions: Changes in the type of industry Growth in part-time jobs The legal system Globalization
Employer offensive Union rigidity and bureaucratization
30 Social Policy and Organizations The State of the Unions Sociological Insights Both Marxists and functionalists would view unions as a logical response to the emergence of
impersonal, large-scale, formal, and often alienating organizations. Conflict theorists would point out that the longer union leaders are in office the less responsive they are to the needs and demands of the rank and file and the more concerned they are with maintaining their own positions. Many union employees encounter role conflict.
31 Social Policy and Organizations The State of the Unions Policy Initiatives A major barrier to union growth exists in the 20 states that have so-called right to work laws. Debate over campaign finance reform in Congress in 2001 raised the question of whether labor
unions should be able to use dues to support a particular candidate or promote a position.
32 Social Policy and Organizations Figure 6.2: Union Membership in the United States Source: Developed by the author based on data from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2003: National
Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation
A craft union is an organized group of laborers who have careers in the same craft or trade. People in unions of this type regularly hold the same job or work within the same industry. Other times, craft unions form when members all have a special skill or ability.
Which term is used to refer to organized patterns of beliefs and behavior?
social institutions. terms used to refer to organized patterns of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs? The U.S government. what is an example of a social institution? "assigned" to a person by society without regard for the person's unique talents or characteristics.
Which of the following is an example of a social institution?
State, Marriage, and Family are Social institutions. They provide social recognition, fulfill needs and assign roles to human beings.
Which of the following is an example of a formal organization? division of labor.
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