This document discusses sociological approaches to studying organizations. It introduces several key sociological paradigms - structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. It then discusses three contemporary sociological approaches: feminist theory, queer theory, and postmodern theory. The document also covers common sociological research methods like ethnography, interviews, surveys, and experiments. Finally, it discusses concepts like social aggregation of labor, roles within organizations, and social capital - the resources from social networks and relationships.

1. Translating sociological questioning at the level of the organization… As part of the course series: Disciplinary approaches to organizations Introducing Sociology, Part 2 1

2. Topics: New Paradigms in the sociology (lenses) Presentation of the Sociology Zen Assignment Common research methods in sociology Focus on Organizations: concepts in sociology Case: Social Capital in the working place 2

3. New Paradigms in Sociology (1) Classic sociological lenses: Structural Functionalism Conflict theory Symbolic Interactionism Because all 3 major paradigms have weakness as well as strengths, they will probably never fully explain the totality of social phenomena, even when taken together New perspectives will, and indeed must, continue to rise 3

4. 3 contemporary approaches 4 Each is linked to a major are of contemporary social transformation: Changing ideas about gender roles Changing notions of sexual identity And the changes associated with a postindustrial, technologically based society

5. Feminist theory 5 Looks at gender inequalities in society and the way gender structures the social world Gender is a social construct

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8. Queer theory 8 Proposes that categories of sexual identity are social constructs and that no sexual category is fundamentally either deviant or normal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFFxidhcy0&feature=player_embedded

9. Postmodern theory 9 Suggests that there is no universal, knowable truth: realities are fluid and diverse The kaleidoscope metaphor

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11. Sociology Zen: Beginner’s mind 11

12. Studying social life: Sociological research methods (1) 12 Distinction between Quantative and Qualitative research methods Quantative: uses data that can easily be converted into numbers, such as a survey or an experiment E.g. Censo 2010

13. Studying social life: Sociological research methods (2) 13 Qualitative: involves data that cannot easily be converted to numbers, such as observation or informal interviews. Most sociological research uses the scientific method This is the standard for acquiring and verifying empirical scientific knowledge: After conducting a literature review, a researcher forms a hypothesis stating a potential relationship between 2 or more variables: The number of friendships at the workplace & the level of job satisfaction e.g. more friendships at the workplace increases job satisfaction Variables must be clearly defined so that they can be measured Finally data is collected and the hypotheses tested (deductive)

14. Steps of the scientific Method Starting from 1 to 7 = Deductive research Starting from 5 (4) to 1 = Inductive research 14

15. 1. Ethnographic methods 15 One way to collect data is through ethnography, a method based on studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities It involves: Active participation in and observation of a naturally occurring setting and a written account (field notes) of what goes on there. In participant observation the research observes and becomes a member in the social setting Anthropology uses this method often

16. Ethnography: 16 Snow white joined the 7 dwarfs in their private homes, here she could observe their social practices and take notes to later on analyze

17. Interviews 17 Involves direct, face-to-face contact with respondents. The researcher identifies the target population that she wishes to study and then selects a sample of people to be interviewed from that population close-ended questions: E.g. Are you for or against the legislation of marihuana? (yes-no) open-ended question: What do you think of the phenomena of coffee shops? (in the Netherlands)

18. Surveys 18 Surveys are questionnaires that are administrated to a sample of respondents selected from a target group population Tend to look at Large-scale social patterns and employs statistics methods of analysis http://www.censo2010.aw/ : The Aruban society’s lifestyle is being explored in-depth.

19. Experimental methods 19 Experiments are formal test of whether an independent variable causes the dependent variable that are performed in a controlled setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled. Comparison between experimental group vs. control group (sample without intervention) Experiments in social science are very difficult to conduct because of ethical questions: Twins separated at birth, one grows-up in a nice family, one in a dysfunctional family?

20. Pill to make you dance at a party when you don’t like dancing 20 Control: she takes a placebo pill Experiment: she takes the to be tested pill

21. Issues in Sociological research 21 Sociologist should be Value-free Code of ethics to avoid bias, protect respondents from harms, privacy issues etc.

22. The organization, its sociological concepts, theories: distinctive properties 22 Social aggregation of labor Organization as a community Labor is means to an economical end. Common goal dived in social roles and responsibilities Power: asymmetrical relationship (principal-agent relationship) Social system: economical structure

23. Approaching the organization in terms of sociology 23 Individual’s role in the organization: workforce Each role goes hand in hand with an established script (think about the metaphor of the theatre) Let’s start from the basics: What is the role of the employer? What is the role of the employee?

24. Examples of sociological questioning when approaching organizations: 24 Special case: The labor union Structural-Functionalism approach (function of systems): What are the functions of the union for society? Are these functions the same or different from the functions of the union has for its members’ individual lives? Latent functions? Manifest functions? Conflict theory (conflict at the basis for change) Does the union affect every group in society in the same way? Does the union affect every group in the labor system in the same way? How does the union contribute to inequalities in the division of work in the labor system (contribute to conflict)? Which groups benefit the workings of an union? How might the union contribute to social change?

25. Examples of sociological questioning: 25 Interactionist questions: What kind of symbolic meaning does the union have On the societal level? On the individual level? (members vs. non-members) How does the union influence the interpersonal interactions of its members? And at the level of the organization as a whole? How do interpersonal interactions shape the experience of being members of a union?

26. Examples of sociological questioning: 26 Feminist theories: With roles do gender play in a organization? How is this embedded in their policies?

27. Connections in the workplace (Putnam,2000): Social Capital 27 Relationships are a valuable asset Humans are social being: we have relationships with others Society is composed of multiple communities (formal and informal) that are connected to each other. Internal structure Interaction (communication) is the binding glue of society and of communities and between communities The organization as a community

28. Social Capital 28 What is capital? SC has a lot of different definitions: SC is the aggregate of the actual potential resources which are linked to possession of a durable network of more or less institutionalized relationships of mutual acquaintance and recognition (Bourdieu) SC consists of social connections, who you know and who you are friendly with, who you can call on for help or favors

29. Social Capital 29 Refers to the connections between people When approaching SC we look at the nature of these connections Types of assets: Trust Norms Reciprocity Information Cooperation Mobilization identification