Q.8. Explain the merits and demerits of Bureaucracy. (AKTU. 2010 - 11)
Ans. Merits and demerits of bureaucracy: -
In simple terms, bureaucracy talks about rules, procedures or protocols laid down in the way of work of any system. One good thing about Bueaucracy is that it allows order. But, if care is not taken, its makes the system rigid and this causes unnecessary delay in implementation of policies, project, etc as everyone MUST follow the laid down laws and procedures. This some how affects decision making in organizations especially in the absence of one or more decision makers in the system. Also, it does not allow for individual development as workers are expected to follow the established routine. In summary it resists change and creativity.
Q.9. Write a note on workers participation in management. (AKTU. 2010 - 11)
Ans. Participative (or participatory) management, otherwise known as worker involvement or participative decision making, encourages the involvement of stakeholders at all levels of an organization in the analysis of problems, development of strategies, and implementation of solutions. Workers are invited to share in the decision-making process of the firm by participating in activities such as setting goals, determining work schedules, and making suggestions. Other forms of participative management include increasing the responsibility of workers (job enrichment); forming self-managed teams, quality circles, or quality-of-work-life committees; and soliciting survey feedback. Participative management, however, involves more than allowing workers to take part in making decisions. It also involves management treating the ideas and suggestions of workers with consideration and respect. The most extensive form of participative management is direct worker ownership of a company.
Four processes influence participation are
1. Information sharing, which is concerned with keeping workers informed about the economic status of the company.
2. Training, which involves raising the skill levels of workers and offering development opportunities that allow them to apply new skills to make effective decisions regarding the organization as a whole.
3. Worker decision making, which can take many forms, from determining work schedules to deciding on budgets or processes.
4. Rewards, which should be tied to suggestions and ideas as well as performance.
Q.10. What do you mean by the term Industrial Sociology. (AKTU. 2012 - 13)
Ans. ‘Industrial Sociology’ comprises two terms, namely, industrial and sociology. The term ‘industrial’ concerning the industry and in industry anything is done efficiently and smoothly. Resourcefulness implies use of machinery, raw materials, etc., in an efficient manner. Sociology deals with the society and social relations. In sociology, all kinds of social relations are studied.
This means industrial sociology is the study of boss-subordinate, interdepartmental, and management / trade-union relationships and, on a macro sociological scale, the study of the impact of industrialization on whole societies.
“According to Miller and Form, “Industrial Sociology is a substantive area of general sociology which might more accurately be termed the sociology of work organizations or the sociology of economy”.
“According to Charles B. Spaulding, Industrial sociologists center their interests upon the social organizations of the work place, including the pattern of interaction between people who are responding to each other in terms of their roles in work organizations or whose behaviour is being affected by those roles.”
“According to D.C. Miller and W.H. Form, Industrial sociology is a substantive area of general sociology which might more accurately be termed the sociology of work organizations or the sociology of economy.”
“According to J.H. Smith Industrial sociology is concerned with industry (or any form of work organization) as a social system, including those factors (technical, economic, political) which affect the structure, the functions and the changes in that system.”
