Exam 10: Conflict and Control in the Workplace

Wallace Clement and John Myles (1994) are quoted in the textbook as saying that society is faced by a "postindustrial Nirvana of knowledge where everyone will be a brain surgeon, artist, or philosopher (Bell) or, alternatively, a postindustrial Hades where we shall be doomed to labour mindlessly in the service of capital." Outline the debate framed by Clement and Myles. Which of the two positions is most accurate, in your opinion? Discuss the evidence that leads you to this conclusion.

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Question 1

Correct Answer:

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Suggested student response: Students should be able to outline Daniel Bell's position on post-industrial society as well as Braverman's argument that deskilling continues to occur in 20th-century workplaces. Research suggests that, on average, we have seen more skill upgrading than deskilling of occupations, but there are a number of important caveats . A better answer would discuss the definition and measurement of "skill" and might distinguish between multi-tasking and multi-skilling.

"Technological innovation is the engine of both economic growth and social development." Critically evaluate this claim, making reference to theories and empirical evidence presented in this and other textbook chapters.

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Question 2

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Suggested student response: Students are unlikely to argue that technology does not contribute to economic growth, nor should they. This being a sociology course, the key to a good answer is a discussion of whether technology also contributes to social development. Students might mention Daniel Bell and Gerhard Lenski from earlier chapters, but should discuss Harry Braverman's position on technology. A good answer would engage with the debates about whether new information and computer technologies (ICT) are leading to job loss, deskilling, and increased inequality and should comment on technological, economic, and social determinism .

Which of the following are the main definitional components of work-related skill?

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Question 3

Correct Answer:

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Which of the following definitions of a type of management control is correct?

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Question 4

Gordon, Edwards, and Reich wrote about the evolution of segmented labour markets in North America. Which of the following did they suggest was an outcome of this process?

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Question 5

Employees in many workplaces put a great deal of effort into their work. Which of the following reasons for working this hard would be the best example of Michael Burawoy's concept of "hegemonic organization of work"?

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Question 6

Which of the following statements best defines "surplus value" as discussed by Karl Marx?

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Question 7

Which of the following terms is used to describe regulation of the labour process through coercive or paternalistic methods?

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Question 8

In a sentence or two for each, define simple control, technical control, and bureaucratic control.

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Question 9

According to Harry Braverman, which of the following occupations experienced deskilling and standardization in the 20th century, much like factory-based manufacturing jobs had been deskilled and standardized decades earlier?

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Question 10

Michael Burawoy uses the term hegemonic organization of work in much the same way as which of the following terms used by Richard Edwards?

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Question 11

Which of the following core themes in the labour process debate were prompted by Harry Braverman's 1974 book Labor and Monopoly Capital?

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 12

Which of the following statements best describes "informated work" as discussed by Shoshana Zuboff in her early case studies of computer use in workplaces?

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 13

Rosemary began work as a bank teller a year ago. During the first three months, she spent two days a week in formal training, learning about different financial transactions, how the bank's computer system worked, and other aspects of the job. Over the course of the year, she has also learned from experience how to get around "bugs" in the computer system, and from her coworkers how to deal with difficult customers and, sometimes, difficult bosses. Which of the following terms best describes what Rosemary learned outside of formal training?

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Question 14

Which of the following criticisms has been made of both Harry Braverman's book Labor and Monopoly Capital and Gordon, Edwards, and Reich's analysis of the evolution of segmented labour markets in 20th century North America?

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 15

If they could come back to life, which of the following classical social theorists would likely be most supportive of the new managerial paradigms that have been introduced in the past several decades in an attempt to solve the problems of bureaucracy and assist managers in motivating workers?

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Question 16

Over the past few years, there has been a great deal of debate in Canada about: (a) whether or not to build new pipelines to get western Canadian oil to world markets; and (b) where to build them, if they are to be built. Some groups argue that both questions should be answered only if all groups affected, including First Nations, are effectively consulted and if climate change issues are included in the discussion. Which of the following perspectives would best describe this argument?

(Multiple Choice)

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Question 17

Which of the following scenarios would best be labelled as an example of "neo-Taylorism?"

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Question 18

Which of the following scenarios would be the best example of Andrew Friedman's concept of a "shifting frontier of control"?

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Question 19

The concept "survivor syndrome" is best defined by which of the following?

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Question 20

Showing 1 - 20 of 26

"Technological innovation is the engine of both economic growth and social development." Critically evaluate this claim, making reference to theories and empirical evidence presented in this and other textbook chapters.

Which of the following are the main definitional components of work-related skill?

Which of the following definitions of a type of management control is correct?

Gordon, Edwards, and Reich wrote about the evolution of segmented labour markets in North America. Which of the following did they suggest was an outcome of this process?

Employees in many workplaces put a great deal of effort into their work. Which of the following reasons for working this hard would be the best example of Michael Burawoy's concept of "hegemonic organization of work"?

Which of the following statements best defines "surplus value" as discussed by Karl Marx?

Which of the following terms is used to describe regulation of the labour process through coercive or paternalistic methods?

In a sentence or two for each, define simple control, technical control, and bureaucratic control.

According to Harry Braverman, which of the following occupations experienced deskilling and standardization in the 20th century, much like factory-based manufacturing jobs had been deskilled and standardized decades earlier?

Michael Burawoy uses the term hegemonic organization of work in much the same way as which of the following terms used by Richard Edwards?

Which of the following core themes in the labour process debate were prompted by Harry Braverman's 1974 book Labor and Monopoly Capital?

Which of the following statements best describes "informated work" as discussed by Shoshana Zuboff in her early case studies of computer use in workplaces?

Which of the following criticisms has been made of both Harry Braverman's book Labor and Monopoly Capital and Gordon, Edwards, and Reich's analysis of the evolution of segmented labour markets in 20th century North America?

If they could come back to life, which of the following classical social theorists would likely be most supportive of the new managerial paradigms that have been introduced in the past several decades in an attempt to solve the problems of bureaucracy and assist managers in motivating workers?

Which of the following scenarios would best be labelled as an example of "neo-Taylorism?"

Which of the following scenarios would be the best example of Andrew Friedman's concept of a "shifting frontier of control"?

The concept "survivor syndrome" is best defined by which of the following?

Historical Perspectives on Work 1700-1950s

Contemporary Debates on Work 1950s to Present Day

Canadian Employment Trends

Good Jobs, Bad Jobs, No Jobs

Labour Markets: Opportunities and Inequality

Gender and Paid Employment

Household, Family, and Caring Work

Organizing and Managing Work

In Search of New Managerial Paradigms

Unions and Industrial Relations

Alternative Approaches to Economic Organization

Work Values and Work Orientations

Job Satisfaction, Alienation, and Work-Related Stress

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