Suchergebnisse

The concept of `retrospective bridging' is suggested to describe those occupations in which experience of other kinds of work is relatively frequent. This is complementary to `prospective bridging', indicating the potentialities which one occupation holds for movement to another. Bank workers are shown to have little retrospective mobility by comparison with youth employment and child care officers. Occupation, not sex, is the major factor in determining the number of previous jobs. The past occupations of youth employment and child care officers were mainly those involving contact with clients or customers; banking requires fewer social or personal skills and a varied occupational history is no advantage. The occupationally mobile were more likely to use `most' or `only a few' of their abilities in their work, and the non-mobile to use `some'. Variations in the use of abilities were related to training and scope of present job.

This book provides an excellent introduction to the sociology of industry. It comprises of three sections, which in turn address: the relation between industry and other sub-systems or institutions in society; the internal structure of industry and the roles people play within that structure; the social actions of individuals and groups within an organisational structure. It is an excellent resource for students of sociology who have an interest in its application to the 'world of work'.