Arbete - teknik - ekonomi : förståelseformer inom modern industrisociologi

Sammanfattning: This thesis deals with work, technology and economy. In the first instance it gives an account of a range of important concepts in modern industrial sociology. In addition it makes an attempt to develop the science of work by putting forward a theoretical perspective on the relationship between economy on the one hand and technology and work on the other. Apart from an introduction and a conclusion the thesis is made up of three main sections. In the first section I present a number of significant research directions within industrial sociology. After commencing with a discussion of the considerable contribution to research and debate made by Harry Braverman's influential Labor and Monopoly Capital, I concentrate on the work produced by West German industrial sociology. In the second section I develop a theoretical perspective on the problem area; technology and work. How can technology and work be fitted into a societal perspective? How are the conditions and organization of work established? Which causal powers lie behind the changing nature of working life? With what kind of understanding can we establish a picture of the future? These are some of the basic questions I wish to combine and proceed from. In the third section I relate to my findings from an empirically-oriented research project concerned with the technical development and changing nature of work within the Swedish iron-ore mining company LKAB during the period 1950-80.