Nature of Industrial Sociology

NATURE OF INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY

Industrial sociology is a science. Science is a method a way of investigation, a way of looking at the world. The test of science is its approach and method not its contents and material. It differs from art only not only an account of method. It is method by virtue of which the different bodies of knowledge are called sciences despite a wide disparity of subject matter. Its method consists the unity of all sciences.

1. Scientific Method: In scientific method, the subject matter in a limited sphere is systematically studied. This method needs great patience, courage, diligence, a creative imagination and objectivity. Before starting work by the scientific method, the research worker should make a minutely detailed analysis of the problem he wishes to study. The scientific method involves following steps.

i. Observation: Initial step involves a minute and careful observation of subject matter of research. This observation often necessitates the use of apparatus, which must be accurate.

ii. Recording: Second step is a careful recording of all data obtained in the observation. This necessitates an unbiased objectivity.

iii. Classification: Now, the collected data has to be classified and organized. The classification is aimed to place the disintegrated facts into such relations that they exhibit a symmetrical pattern. In this way, the subject matter is systematically arranged on a logical basis.

iv. Generalization: The fourth step in the scientific method is the extraction of general laws on the basis of the pattern exhibited by the classified material or briefly, generalization. This general law is known as scientific law.

v. Verification: The general principles must also be verified. The validity of scientific principles can be ascertained by examination. This validity is their essential condition, in the absence of which they forfeit their claim to the title of scientific law by examining industrial sociology on the basis of six foregoing essentials it can be known that industrial sociology possesses all the essential character tics of science.

2. It is Factual: Industrial sociology studies industrial relationships and activities in general problem is a description of industrialization process. In this way, industrial sociology makes a scientific study of facts and the general principles involved in them.

3. Principles of Industrial Sociology are Universal: The laws of industrial sociology prove true at all time and places. As long as conditions do not vary the laws are devoid of any exceptions. For example, the principle that individual disorganizations and industrial disorganization depend on each other, is true in all times and at all places.

4. Principles of Industrial Sociology are Veridical: In this way, the laws of industrial sociology prove true at every verification and re-verification. Their validity can be examined by anyone.

5. It Delineates Cause-Effect Relationships: Industrial sociology traces cause-effect relationships in industrial disorganization and other incidents, activities and relationships in industry and then formulates law concerning them. Thus, industrial sociology finds an answer to how as well as ‘why’ of industrial processes and relationships.

6. It can make Predictions: On the basis of cause-effect relationships industrial sociology can anticipate the future and make predictions concerning industrial relationships, activities, incidents, etc. in industrial organization knowing the cause-effect relationships; it can determine “what will be” on the basis of “what is”.

Industrial sociology is both dynamic and static. Dynamic in industrial sociology is the development or progress while static refers to relationships. It is clearly evident from the foregoing description of industrial sociology that it is a science.