What are the essential insights about work that we derive from structural-functional analysis, social-conflict analysis, symbolic-interaction analysis, and feminist analysis? What can we learn from each approach that would help this country build a better workplace environment?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

- Structural-functional theory links the operation of the workplace to other aspects of society, including technology. The Industrial Revolution shaped the workplace of the twentieth century, just as the Information Revolution is shaping the workplace of the twenty-first century.
- Symbolic-interaction theory focuses on the meanings people attach to the world around them. People with jobs in the primary labor market define their work in positive terms and think that the work reflects well on them. People in the secondary labor market find little positive meaning in their work, seeing the job mostly as a source of income.
- Social-conflict theory links the workplace to social inequality. Marx explained that the capitalist elite does no work at all yet gains the profit from the work done by others. As long as the workplace operates according to the rules of a capitalist economy, work is the exploitation of the many by the few.
- Feminist theory explains that gender is a basic organizing principle of all of society, including the world of work. Just about every job is widely viewed as either "feminine" or "masculine" with men's work typically valued more than women's work.