Sociology of labor: basic concepts

Sociology of labor is a division of sociology that studies socially characteristic processes that are expressed in the social activity of a person, in his attitude to work, and also the relationships between people within a single collective.

The first works, revealing the concept of labor and investigating it, appeared at the dawn of the 19th century. The basis for them was practical experience, long-term observation and the study of specific facts. And only half a century later Frederick Taylor, an engineer from America, combined the results of the research into a certain system. At first, it all boiled down to the search for the most optimal methods of performing operations in production. Only in time there was a direction called "scientific organization of labor". And after, in its framework, there were such terms as "professional selection", "wages" and many others.

A huge contribution to the fact that the sociology of labor has been further developed on the domestic field, introduced A. K. Gastev. He was convinced that the improvement of working processes is impossible without their systematic study. With the support of VI Lenin, AK Gastev founded the Central Institute of Labor, which he himself headed. In the 30s, the activity of this institution was recognized as anti-Soviet, and the leader was shot.

Thus, the sociology of labor, as an independent region, separated from the general, was formed only in the twenties of the past century. And this phenomenon was preceded by the emergence of production as such and scientific views on the work process.

The sociology of labor includes the following concepts:

1. Character. This is the method by which the performer connects with the means of production. It is conditioned by those property relations that reign in a particular environment. By the nature of labor, one can judge about its economic and social nature in society, about the stage of its development.

2. Content. This concept is manifested in the fact that all labor functions have certainty. They can be due to various technologies used by technology, as well as the way production is organized, and how well the employee's skills are developed. Character and content can not be considered separately, they represent a unity of form and the essence of social labor.

3. Satisfaction. This is how the worker himself assesses his place in the division of labor system. In different societies it can differ substantially.

4.Obsually the work. This is the direct activity of the participant in the work process. It is directed to overtake the satisfaction of all his needs.

The sociology of labor is inextricably linked with many economic sciences. Without them, it is impossible to carry out full-fledged studies and obtain reliable, accurate results. This is statistics, and mathematics, and the organization of production. This, of course, and other branches of general sociology - the sociology of economics, management, organization. Also on its formation continue to exert considerable influence and such sciences as psychology, physiology, jurisprudence and many others.