The labour process and the changing nature of work Flashcards
what is the labour process?
-the role people play in producing goods and services at work
-includes working conditions, skills used, and levels of autonomy
how did industrialisation change work?
-shift from home-based production to factory-based work
-creation of wage labour- workers became dependent on employers
-division of labour led to specialised, repetitive tasks requiring less skill
-employers controlled working hours, wages, and profits
what is an industrial society?
- technology-based production replaces manual craft skills
- urban workforce in industrial towns instead of rural farms
- factory and office-based work replaces home production
- workers depend on wages rather than self-sufficient farming
what is a low-trust system of management?
-a management approach where workers are closely monitored
-based on the idea that workers cannot be trusted
-aimed at increasing control, discipline, and productivity
what is McDonalization (2011)
-the idea that fast-food principles dominate other work sectors
-four key features:
1. efficiency- simplified, standardised tasks
2. calculability- output measured in quantity rather than quality
3. predictability- consistency across locations
4. control- workers behave like machines, with limited autonomy
what is the deskilling thesis? (Braverman)
-capitalist employers deskill workers to increase control and profits
-scientific management and automation reduce worker autonomy
-workers become easily replaceable, lowering wages
what is surveillance in the workforce? (Foucault)
-employers use CCTV, email monitoring, and tracking software
-creates self-surveillance - workers monitor their won behaviour
-over-surveillance ay cause worker resentment and demotivation
what is Human Relations Theory? (Mayo)
-found workers are more productive when they feel valued
-Hawthorne Effect: workers improved performance because they were being studied
-led to job enrichment (more responsibility), teamwork, and job rotation
what is responsible autonomy? (Friedman)
-workers are given more control over their jobs
-increases commitment to the company
-reduces the need for direct supervision
what is false self-employment?
-employers classify workers as self-employed to avoid paying benefits
-common in construction, gig economy, and delivery services
what is alienation in the workplace? (Marx)
-workers feel disconnected from their work due to lack of control
-four elements of alienation (Blauner):
1. powerlessness- no control over job decisions
2. meaninglessness- repetitive tasks with no purpose
3. isolation- no social interaction
4. self-estrangement- no personal creativity or fulfilment
what are the different types of production?
- craft production- highly skilled, complete product
- mechanisation- machines replace skills
- Fordism- assembly-line, repetitive tasks
- automation- machines replace human labour
what is post- Fordism?
-shift from mass production to flexible specialisation
-uses multi-skilled workers and computer technology
-encourages creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork
criticisms of post-Fordism
-mass production still exists (McDonaldization)
-not all workers benefit from upskilling
-insecurity increases (short-term contracts)
what are worker responses to alienation?
-low-quality work- deliberate mistakes, poor customer service
-absenteeism- which sick leave and job turnover
-industrial sabotage- damaging equipment or slowing production
-strikes and protests- using trade unions to fight poor conditions
