Sociology of Work at the Crossroad

Abstract

In the author's opinion, the `big question' now facing sociologists derives from the evident contrast between, on the one hand, work situations and the problems found there (e.g. poor working conditions), and on the other, the way in which research programmes focus on very similar issues in countries with very different social, economic and cultural situations. Researchers appear to be obsessed with what are mistakenly seen as cosmopolitan issues.The author identifies a number of different perspectives from which one can explore the possible future of the sociology of work: the organization of the profession, its academic-scientific structure, and trends in work and in social demand for the discipline.The author argues that to ensure a positive future for both the sociology of work and the societies in which it is practised, sociology must regain its role in the definition of sociological problems and so prevent the conscious ideological trivialization of the discipline. He also argues the case for continual theoretical reconstruction and epistemological vigilance so that sociology can define its theoretical field and identify possible paths towards a greater social role for the discipline.