Industrial psychology, also known as industrial-organizational or I-O

psychology, is concerned with the study of human behavior in the workplace.

Industrial psychologists study and evaluate a company's culture, employee behavior,
and work processes, and create or recommend programs and practices to improve
employee productivity and organizational performance.

Scopes of industrial psychology are as follows: 1. Economic, Social and Psychological

Aspect of the Industry 2. Study of the Physical Aspect of Work Environment 3.
Principles of Human Relationships 4. Study of Aptitudes and Motives 5. Study of
Principles of Mental Health 6. Study of Human Relation.

1. Economic, Social and Psychological Aspect of the Industry:

Industrial psychology deals with human behavior in the entire industrial environment. Consequently, it
studies the economic, social and psychological aspects of human behaviour. In the modern age most of
economic factors have some psychological influence. The various factors in communal life of workers
living in industrial environment also influence the psychology of the worker. Industrial psychology
studies these factors.

2. Study of the Physical Aspect of Work Environment:

In an industry the worker is greatly influenced by the working conditions. If the conditions are well, the
worker feels satisfied and remains healthy while on the other hand if the conditions are got good the
workers become dissatisfied. Industrial psychology deals with the physical working conditions.

3. Principles of Human Relationships:Irrespective of the automation introduced in industries, the

human element can not be eliminated Even most efficient machine needs an engineer to run it,
and because the engineer is a human being the most importance of the psychological element in
the running of the factory cannot be ignored. The efficiency of the human being will depend
very much upon the nature of his relations with the management. In the previous century most
industrialists behaved like autocrats and considered the workers as nothing more than tools. But
in that period the efficiency level was not very high. It has been seer that an industrialist can
achieve a higher rate of production if he behaves sympathetically with his employees. An
industrialist who cannot maintain good relations with his workers does not succeed for long
time. Industrial psychology tries at discover principles for improving human relationships in an
industrial environment.
4. Study of Attitudes and Motives:
As in any other circumstances, human behaviour in the industrial environment is influenced and
formed by attitudes and aims. Behaviour changes with the changes in stimuli. Hence it is very
important to study the rules pertaining to correct attitudes and aims.
Industrial psychology pursues this kind of study. An important example of study of this
kind is the study conducted by Hawthorne Works Western Electric Company into the
effect of the attitudes of workers upon production. This study is known as the
Hawthorne Study.

5. Study of Principles of Mental Health:

Today all intelligent people realize the importance of maintaining the proper health of
workers. The workers mental health is influenced by working conditions and by the
attitude of other people towards him. Industrial psychology not only studies the factors
influencing the mental health of industrial works but also tries to discover principles for
maintaining their mental health. Industrial “psychology also gives suggestions for
improving the mental health of those who are suffering from mental disease or are
otherwise unbalanced.

6. Study of Human Relation:

Industrial psychology is the study or human behaviour in an industrial context. Being a
branch of psychology, industrial psychology is particularly concerned with the
observation and study, of human relations, about which it reaches conclusions
experimentally and through other study. On the basis of these conclusions it tries to
discover general principles which can be in improving social relations between the
workers and the management.

What is an industrial sociology? And what is its scope; also narrate value of
industrial sociology in India.

Industrial Sociology, a term came into use in the middle of twentieth century owing to
the famous experiments conducted by George Elton Mayo and his associates during late
twenties and early thirties at Haw throne Works in Chicago.

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.

5. 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.

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.

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.

Essay on Industrial Sociology – The Industrial Revolution that took place in England in
the 18th century changed the course of human history.
The Revolution, though essentially took place in the economic field, its effects were never
confined to the economic field alone. It brought down the cost of production, improved
quality and maximised output.

More than that, it changed the pattern of human relations. It eased human life, and
provided more comforts and luxuries to man. At the same time, it altered human outlook
and attitudes. It brought about radical changes in the very structure of the society.

Industrial revolution, in course of time resulted in the continuous process of

industrialization is a phenomenon of world significance today. Development in the field of
science and technology further added to the volume and speed of the process.

Agricultural economy turned into industrial economy. Industrial area developed into towns
and cities. The process of urbanisation began. People from rural areas started flocking
towards cities. Capitalist economy was born. Social classes with class-hatreds emerged.
Social institutions and values underwent changes.

New problems and new fears and new anxieties were invariably the results of it. The very
face of the society changed. These developments necessitated the birth of a new branch of
sociology called “Industrial Sociology’ which essentially deals with the industrial society
with all its complexities.

Definition of Industrial Sociology:

(i) ‘Industrial sociology is the application of the sociological approach to the reality and
problems of industry’. -P. Gisbert.

(ii) Industrial sociology centers its attention on the social organisation of factory, the store,
and the office. This focus includes not only the interactions of people playing roles in these
organisations but also the ways in which their work roles are interrelated with other aspects
of their life”.

(iii) Industrial sociology is the sociology of industrial relations and industrial activities of
man. Development of Industrial Sociology
As a specialised branch of sociology, industrial sociology is yet to become mature. In fact,
Durkheim and Max Weber in their classical styles have made some analysis of industrial
institutions. But systematic research in the field has developed only in recent decades. It
gained importance about the middle of the present century.

The famous experiments at the Hawthorne Works in Chicago, of the Western Electric
Company, conducted by George Elton Mayo and his associates during the last twenties and
in the early thirties, provided the fillip to the development of industrial sociology.

Industrial sociology gained the grounds comparatively on a wider scale in America. Various
factors contributed to the development of industrial sociology in the U.S.A. The
development of corporate industry, the achievement of scientific management, the
unemployment of the depressed 1930s, the labour legislation of the New Deal (Economic
Policy), the rise of human relations’, the manpower shortages and enforced restrictions of
wartime, the great awakening of the trade unions, the continued emigration of the
population from the American farm, the new technology and mechanisation, the desire for a
higher standard of living, the occasional labour strikes involving thousands of workers, the
investigation of the Congress, the legislative programme of the Kennedy Administration-
and other factors contributed to the growth of this branch in America.

In the beginning, in Industrial Sociology much of the work was limited to the analysis of
rather restricted problems. But today industrial sociologist’s field of study is developing. It
now includes the analysis of industrial institutions and organisation. It also studies the
relation between them. It examines the links between industrial phenomena and
institutions of the wider society.

Theoretically, this is correct. But practically much remains to be done. As regards many of
the internal problems of industrial organisations, our systematic knowledge is still
fragmentary and inadequate. In respect of the links between industrial and other
institutions our knowledge is scattered.

The Concept of Industry:

The key term to be explained here is ‘industry’.’Industry’ may be defined as ‘the application
of complex and sophisticated methods to the production of economic goods and services’.

In order to improve the quality of production, reduce the cost and maximise the production,
the complex methods, that is, the machines were used. This process of mechanisation of
production originated during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century.

Man, in some way or the other, has always been industrial’. He has always used tools to
obtain food and satisfy his needs. Advanced industry consists in the use of tools and
machines that are far more complicated than the digging stick, the hoe, or the bow and
arrow, used by the early Stone Age man to obtain his daily food.

In fact, the original Latin word for industry is ‘industrial’, which means skill and
resourcefulness. The term ‘industry’ is applied to the modern sophisticated system of
procuring goods and services which began in the Industrial Revolution.
The Sociological Approach:
A complex reality like ‘ industry’ can be studied from various points of view – technological,
physical, psychological, economic, sociological etc. Sociology is essentially a science of
society, of social relationships, associations and institutions. It analyses the social relations,
their forms, contents and the systems they assume. Its method is scientific. Its approach is
rational and empirical.

Industrial sociology is that branch of sociology which concerns mainly with the industrial
relations of man. It examines the various industrial organisations and institutions, their
interrelations and links with the other institutions and organisations of the wider society.

Scope of Industrial Sociology:

Industrial sociology is an applied discipline. It is concerned with the study of human
relations as they grow and operate in the field of industries. It deals with the sociological
concepts that have relevance to industry. It concentrates upon the social organisations of
the work place or industry. It studies the patterns of interaction between people in terms of
their roles in industrial organisations.

Industrial organisations are also studied by other disciplines such as- industrial
management, industrial engineering, industrial psychology and economics. But they study
the phenomena of industry in different ways. Their studies sometimes may overlap.

Industrial engineering deals with the design of products and equipments. Industrial
management is more an art than a science. Industrial psychology studies—the selection of
personnel, job satisfaction, motivation and incentive to work, team spirit, accident
proneness and such other personal matters and behavioural problems.

Economics concentrates on such matters as-prices, wages, profits, full employment, finance,
monopoly, marketing, taxation, etc. But none of these sciences focuses its attention on the
social or human aspects of industrial organisations. This task is done only by industrial
sociology.

Industrial sociology studies industrial organisation not as a technological or economic

organisation, but more than that, as a social or human organisation. It stresses upon the
social or interactional factors in industrial relations, formal and informal organisation, team
work, communication etc.

“When interaction among two or more persons is affected by the fact that one of them is a
doctor, a teacher, a plumber, a factory worker, a stenographer, a boss, an employee, a union
leader, or an unemployed person, we have before us the raw material of industrial
sociology”.

The industrial sociology deals with the total organisation of the workplace. It also deals with
three different organisations which may be conceived of as distinguishable but interrelated:
namely, (a) management organisation, (b) informal organisation of workers, and (c) union
organisation.
(a) ‘Management organisation’ refers to the relations between management and the
workers. It also includes policies, programmes-structure and the functioning of the
management. Its main emphasis is on the formal relations developed by the workers with
the management.

(b) ‘Informal organisation’ of workers consists of informal relations developed voluntarily

by the workers themselves. Such relations are established by the individuals and small
groups within the factory or industry. Such organisations assume the forms of cliques,
gangs, friendship groups, bands etc. These organisations develop their own informal norms
to control the activities of the members.

(c) Union organisation refers to the role of trade unions and the participation or
involvement of workers in union activities. Trade unions are playing a vital role in creating
industrial unrest and maintaining industrial peace. They also control the formal and
informal relations of the workers.

These three organisations of the industry are affected by the physical conditions of the work
place, fashions in management thinking, governmental and other social control, the
personalities of employees and their experiences in playing roles in other organisations.

Importance of Industrial Sociology:

Industrial sociology is of great practical importance.

(i) Industrial sociology has been of great help in finding solutions too many of the industrial
disputes and instances of industrial unrest.

(ii) It has reduced the gap between industrial management and in6ustria workers; ft has
also helped both to develop friendly relations.

(iii) Industrial Sociology has stressed upon the important role of trade unions in settling
industrial disputes.

(iv) It has thrown light upon the problems of industrial workers. It has suggested ways and
means of improving the living conditions of workers.

(v) Various industrial sociological studies have impressed upon the management and the
government the need to undertake social security measures for promoting labour welfare.

(vi) Industrial sociology studies the relations between man’s industrial activities on the one
hand, and his political, economic, educational and other activities, on the other.

(vii) Industrial sociology also analyses the processes of industrialisation and urbanisation,
their magnitude and their mutual interaction.

(viii) Finally industrial sociology plays a vital role in contributing to planned industrial
growth.
Industrial Sociology: Overview

by Sociology Group

Industrial Sociology is a relatively young branch of sociology. While Durkheim and Max
Weber made some analysis of industrial institutions, industrial sociology as a separate
branch got its push due to the famous experiments at Hawthorne Works in Chicago, of the
Western Electric Company, conducted by George Elton Mayo and his associates between
1924 and 1932. While the field cannot be confined by any one definition, various sociologist
have tried to define industrial sociology in the following ways-

According to Miller and Form, “Industrial Sociology is a substantive area of general

sociology which might more accurately be termed the sociology of work organisations or
sociology of economy”.

Industrial-Sociology-Overview

According to J H Smith, “Industrial Sociology is concerned with industry (or any form of
work organisation) as a social system, including those factors (technical, emotional,
political) which affect the structure, the function and the changes in that system”.

However, there is no general agreement among sociologists about the origin, definition and
content of the sub-discipline.

CONCEPT OF INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is the study of the collective behaviour of people together in society as a whole. It
would explain the reasons for why people behave the way they tend to behave. And when
our economies turned into industrial economy urbanization began with the competition.
Industrialization is both boon and bane for our society. Industrialization brought a lot of
development alongside class divisions among the people. And so has the social problems
that have arisen with all the complexities.

The key terms of industrial sociology are ‘industry’ and the concept of sociology. The
industry here refers to the place where the goods and services are produced for
consumption in an economy. It is the place where every single person comes and interacts
with each other for the process of production and consumption. The concept of sociology in
the industrial sector gives us the discipline for the behaviour of the people. The
relationships between people are explained while they grow in the field of industries.

Industrial sociology does not merely see them as an economic organization but more like a
social or human organization. The concept covers how people communicate with each other,
who do they communicate at the times of distress, how the community

Emergence and Evolution

With the rise of industrialisation rose interest in socio-economic aspects of industrial

societies. Industrial sociology has blurred contour and as its subject matter has not been
delimited, it often crosses over into the subject matter of Economics. Adam Smith addressed
the philosophical issues and moral sentiments attached to economic activities. Later he
turned his attention to the social (macroscopic) and organisational (microscopic) roles in
society of capitalist and labours. He regarded effective mobilisation and utilisation of labour
as the true wealth of a nation instead of material things such as silver and gold. Smith’s
work on free trade, minimal government interference, the role of differentiated divisions of
labour, the rise of ‘factory system’ laid out the basics for modern industrial sociological
research: economic organisation, manager’s and worker’s waves, economic exchange and
trade, the correlation between technology and division of labour, the distributive effect of
industrialisation on national stratification system, etc.

Charles Dickens’ literary treatment of socio-political life in early 19th century Britain has
also aided sociologists. Post Elton May’s study, industrial sociology rapidly grew as an area
of theoretical research and not just practical application to aid industrialist to increase the
productivity of labour.

Subject Matter

Burns has classified the subject matter of industrial sociology in the following ways-

Bureaucracy: analysis of the bureaucratic machinery i.e. the behaviour and attitude of the
officers and black coated workers.
Study of Functions: The study of the workplace as a system by which individuals achieve a
balance between work and their own goals in the form of complex organic or social-
technical systems.

Study of Functional Group: the study of informal groups of working individuals and the
contrast of the system of relationships, aims and beliefs especially with the management.

Analysis of Industrial Relationships: a study of trade union behaviour, labour organisations’

bargaining procedures as industrial relations complex.

Influence of Industrialism on the Individual: analysis of industrialism on the social life of

workers as individuals, including balance and interaction between work and non-work areas
of life.

Industrial Human/Social Relations

Industries form human interactions and relations across fields. These social relations can be
categorised in the following ways-

Internal Relations– the social or interpersonal relations between individuals within the
same industry. For example, the owner, the managerial staff and the labourers of a single
industrial complex. These can further be divided into formal, informal and mixed.

Formal Relations: relations that form between individuals by virtue of their role or status in
the industry. These relations are strictly non-personal and have no emotions attached. For
example, the relation between boss and employee or two co-workers who are not friends.

Informal Relations: the personal relations within a workspace which operate according to
emotions and passions. These may develop between individuals or groups. For example, two
co-workers may be friends or workers may get divided into factions where one fraction has
enmity against the other faction.

Mixed Relations: relations which are neither completely formal not completely informal fall
in this category. For example, a party after work between the managerial staff and labourers
would fall in this category.

External Relations: a factory, mill or industry’s relation with other industries, government
and social organisations are categorised as external relations. Industries need a licence from
the government, advertisements with the media and recruitment from educational
institutions. Their relations with all these institutions are external relations.
Scope of Industrial Sociology

Industrial sociology is an applied discipline. The following things come under its scope. This
list is not exhaustive.

It studies the process of industrialisation historically.

It looks at the influence of physical and social environment on industrial development and
vice versa.

It studies the role of government and state in industrial management and development and
helps in the formation of government policies in relation to industries, the education system
for a better workforce, loans to industries, etc.

Deals with three different organisations of the workplace which are conceived as
distinguishable but interrelated namely management organisation, an informal organisation
of workers and union organisation.

Management Organisation caters to the relationship between management and workers. It

includes policies, social programs, welfare structures, working on the management, etc. It
deals with the formal aspect of the relationship.

Informal Organisations are relationships voluntarily formed between workers without any
institutional control. These relationships can manifest themselves in the form of cliques,
gangs, friendship groups, bands, etc. These informal groups determined norms for social
behaviour.

Union Organisation refers to the role of formal groups or organisations such as trade unions
and participation or involvement of workers in union activities. They play a vital role in
maintaining industrial peace or creating industrial unrest.

Importance of Industrial Sociology

Stability in Industrial Society– having a constant database of social industrial phenomena

and theories that explain it allows for better administration of industries.

Remedies to Problems of Industrial Society– the revolution in the industrial age has led to
differences in status and role of social institutions which has created social unrest.
Industrial Sociology allows for the study of problems and proposes solutions to problems
such as strikes, lockdowns, unemployment, wages, health sanitation, housing, education,
social security, etc.
Helping in Personality Development– underdeveloped personality increases social
disorganization. Industrial sociology is used for personality development of those
individuals involved in the industry.

Aid to Familial Integration– family is the central social unit of society. Most families in poor
industrial neighbourhoods face social evils such as poor recreation, prostitution, alcoholism,
unhealthy living conditions, overcrowding, etc. Industrial sociology addresses these issues.

Industrial Planning– in the age of planning, industrial sociology makes industrial processes
more efficient by gaining maximum output out of minimum input. This planning is possible
only with the knowledge base provided by industrial sociology.

Peace and Prosperity– economic stability, labour satisfaction and efficient distribution of
resources (which can be achieved with the help of industrial sociology) allows for
maintenance of national and international peace and prosperity.

Why do we require Industrial Sociology?

The concept of industrial sociology is wide and is very vital to the organization. The
following could be stated a few of the reasons why we would require industrial sociology.

They help us identify the problems existing in the industry and also gives us the probable
solutions to it.

At the times of industrial distress, they would help us understand the situations better.

It helps us understand the relationship between one’s personal activities with that of
industrial activities.

They show us the way human interaction flows through the organization helping in times of
miscommunication.

It analyses the depth of the industrialization and magnitude of the problems arising along
with the development.

It helps with industrial planning, in maintaining a good relationship between the labour
unions and the management.
The trade relations can be easily identified and chaos with the organization channels can be
reduced.

The most important reason would be to maintain peace and prosperity within an
organization.

With the event of industrialization and vast developing economy, it is very important for us
to realize the human potential in order to compete in the vast competition. In order to
realize human potential, it is important for us to learn human behaviours in the first place in
a given situation. Industrial sociology serves as a platform to learn about the human pattern
of behaviour.