Social Theory and HR Policy 1 Lecture

Social Theory and HR Policy 1

Lecture No 1 The Meaning of Social Theory and HR Policy. Discipline: Social Theory and HR Policy Almaty 2017

3

Content of the Lecture . 1. Analysis of the Meaning and the Status of Social Theory. 2. Analysis of the Meaning and the Role of HR Policy. 4

Key Words HR Hypothesis (an idea that hasn't been proven yet) Research (a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding) Empirical (Knowledge derived from investigation, observation, experimentation, or experience, as opposed to theoretical knowledge based on logical or mathematical assumptions) Theory (analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another) Social Pattern (Consistent and recurring characteristic or trait that helps in the identification of a phenomenon or problem, and serves as an indicator or model for predicting its future behavior) Policy 5

1. Analysis of the Meaning and the Status of Social Theory 6

Ø Ø Ø Organizational Behavior Organizational Effectiveness Motivation and Reward Job Satisfaction Talent Management Leadership Communication Skills for Leaders Leading People Power and Politics Conflict Management Change Management Corporate Culture 7

Social Living together in groups, typically in a hierarchical system with complex communication. Theory Analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another HR Policy A department within an organization that deals with the people who work for that organization; a group of people who are able to do work. The set of basic principles and associated guidelines, formulated and enforced by the governing body of an organization, to direct and limit its actions in pursuit of long-term goals. 8

The focus of the discipline Social Theory and HR Policy is about organization as element of social system and the role that HR strategies may contribute to sustain organizational effectiveness and develop organizational competence through HR policies and practices. The learning material will demonstrate how various scientific social theories are applied at workplace through realization of HR strategy, policy and practices. 9

• Two separate words “social” and “theory” are very ancient in origin. • The words “social” and “society” derive from the Latin words socius and societas. For the Romans, a socius was a merchant cooperating with other merchants as a partner, fellow or associate. A partnership or “association” between merchants was a societas, which is the origin of modern English word “company” or “business firm”, as well as the keyword “society”. • Social theory takes the focus away from the individual and focuses it on the society itself and the social forces that affect our lives. 10

• The modern word “theory” derives from the ancient Greek word theoria. • Theoria for the Greeks meant “contemplation”. • Contemplation means profound thinking about something. To look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully. The opponents of social theory call it theoretical speculation or sensory impressions. • It contrasted with praxis, from which the word “practice” derives. • “Theoria” for the Greeks did not itself mean science and was not equated with scientific knowledge. Rather it meant reflection on science. 11

• Greek understanding of theoria became the subject of controversy in the relationship between theory and empirical research. The point of the arguments is what comes first: – intensive empirical work to prepare the ground for a decent social scientific theory, or – empirical research without prior, comprehensive theoretical reflection would at best yield meaningless and at worst erroneous results. 12

• • Every scientific theory starts as a hypothesis. A hypothesis is used to explain, predict, some phenomena. If enough evidence accumulates to support a hypothesis (intelligent guess), it moves to the next step — known as a theory — in the scientific method and becomes accepted as a valid explanation of a phenomenon. A theory is a set of related/interconnected hypotheses, along with tested consequences. Social theorists tackle very large-scale social trends and structures using hypotheses that cannot be easily proved, except by the history and time, which is often the basis of criticism from opponents of social theories. 13

• The terms fact and theory are words with different meanings. • In the scientific world, facts (or scientific facts) are what one can readily observe. It is considered a fact because it will remain as true even after several centuries unless there is a more rigid and precise way of measuring a certain phenomenon. • Theories in science are likened to the explanations to what has been observed. • These are the statements that are assumed to be true (because they seem so) even if there are no hundred percent concrete evidences. • Facts are observations whereas theories are the explanations to those observations. • Theories are vague truths or unclear facts whereas facts are really facts. 14

• • • Social theory refers to the use of abstract and often complex theoretical frameworks to describe, explain, and analyze the social world. Social theories analyze society and explain human behavior within a social structure. Social theories study and interpret social patterns, from a single event to globalized interaction. It is an attempt to explain changes in society, what caused the changes and what resulted from those changes. • Social theories study ideas about: – – – – how societies change and develop, about methods of explaining social behavior, about power and social structure, class, gender and ethnicity, modernity and “civilization”, revolutions and utopias, and numerous other concepts and problems in social life. 15

Conflict theory emphasizes the role of coercion and power in producing social order. This perspective is derived from the works of Karl Marx, who saw society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and economic resources. Social order is maintained by domination, with power in the hands of those with the greatest political, economic, and social resources. 16

Is one of the major contemporary sociological theories, which analyzes the status of women and men in society with the purpose of using that knowledge to better women's lives. Feminist theory is most concerned with giving a voice to women and highlighting the various ways women have contributed to society. 17

Economics plays a huge role in human behavior. That is, people are often motivated by money and the possibility of making a profit, calculating the likely costs and benefits of any action before deciding what to do. This way of thinking is called 18

Is a theory that attempts to explain socialization and its effect on the development of the self. It looks at the individual learning process, the formation of self, and the influence of society in socializing individuals. Social learning theory is commonly used by sociologists to explain deviance and crime 19

Is one of the most important approaches to understanding deviant and criminal behavior. It begins with the assumption that no act is intrinsically criminal. Definitions of criminality are established by those in power through the formulation of laws and the interpretation of those laws by police, courts, and correctional institutions 20

Is a theory of social interaction, which attempts to explain the interaction people have with one another. As the name of theory suggests, game theory sees human interaction as just that: a game. 21

Social theories study society—millions of people in a state, country, or even at the world level. When theories are used at this level they are referred to as Macro Theories. Macro theories are theories which best fit the study of massive numbers of people (typically Conflict and Functional theories). 22

When theories are used to study small groups or individuals, say a couple, family, or team, they are referred to as being Micro Theories are theories which best fit the study of small groups and their members (typically Symbolic Interactionism or Social Exchange theories). In many cases, any of the four main theories can be applied at either the macro or micro levels. 23

Functional theorists believe that individuals within a society evaluate their peers and place them in the social order according to how well that person performs in terms of values. Social stratification insures an effective role in allocation; the most qualified people within a society hold the highest ranking positions. Functionalists tend to focus on the individual and how social forces influence behavior. They are less focused on freewill and the ability individuals have to shape their own destiny. 24

Structuralism is the study of the relationship between people rather than the individual. It emphasizes relations between elements within a culture, such as kinship and language. Linkage principles are the heart of structuralism. Structural theorists focus on the order of social structure without consideration for individual influence. For instance, families, schools and churches are social structures. A structural theorist studies the relationship between the social structure and its members, but not how or why an individual within the social structure may have control over other members. 25

Marxism theory bases social life on conflicts of interest and attempts to explain how and why societies change. It is the belief that class conflict brings about change through opposition within social classes. Marxists theories are not focused on individuals but on social structure and how individuals act together as a social class. Marxists believe that alienation is a form of control as well as a reason for unlawful actions among individuals. 26

2. Analysis of the Meaning and the Role of HR Policy. 27

28

Key Words Animate nature Inanimate nature Human society Management Social system World around Selection (matching available human resources to jobs) Appraisal (performance management) Rewards Development ( developing high quality employees) 29

Social Living together in groups, typically in a hierarchical system with complex communication. Theory Analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another HR Policy A department within an organization that deals with the people who work for that organization; a group of people who are able to do work. The set of basic principles and associated guidelines, formulated and enforced by the governing body of an organization, to direct and limit its actions in pursuit of long-term goals. 30

. Management is the process of dealing with or controlling things or people. 31

Characterizing the world around, researchers distinguish three of its main components: i) inanimate nature ii) animate nature and iii) human society 32

Management of processes in inanimate nature (in technical systems). Management of technological processes and physical bodies, systems of machines, i. e. management of technical systems, call management of things. This field of management is studied mainly by technical science. 33

Management of processes in animate nature (in biological systems). Process management, proceeding in animate nature, and the processes connected with activity of organisms belong to management of biological systems. This field of management is a learning object of natural sciences. 34

Management of processes in society (in social systems). Management as impact on activities of the people who are united in social groups with their various interests, i. e. management of social systems, is called management of people, or social management. This field of management is mainly a learning object of social sciences. 35

World around Technical system Biological system Social system 36

The term ‘system’ implies an orderly arrangement, an interrelationship of parts. In the arrangement, every part has a fixed place and definite role to play. The parts are bound by interaction. To understand the functioning of a system, for example the human body, one has to analyze and identify the subsystems (e. g. circulatory, nervous, digestive systems etc. ) and understand how these various subsystems enter into specific relations in the fulfillment of the organic function of the body. 37

August Comte the “father of sociology” saw society as a social organism possessing a harmony of structure and function. Likewise, society may be viewed as a system of interrelated mutually dependent parts which cooperate to preserve a recognizable whole and to satisfy some purposes or goal. 38

A social system exists between any two or more people who have a common purpose or orientation and interact within a limited scope or area. A social system is the patterned series of interrelationships existing between individuals, groups of individuals, material resources and processes, and institutions and forming a whole. In the social system each of the interacting individual has function or role to perform in terms of the status he occupies in the system. 39

The organization from Latin organum "instrument, organ". Meaning "system, establishment" is from 1873. Means consolidation of the people to jointly realize some common goal and acting on the basis of certain principles and rules. It is an element of social system, the most common form of a human community, primary cell of society. It doesn't exist without society and society can't exist without the organizations. The organization is an object and the subject of society. Being an independent subsystem of society, the organization has the specific needs, interests, values, and offers society products of the activities and services and imposes on society certain requirements. The person lives in the "organized" world, in the world of the organizations and organizational processes. 40

41

Important feature of the organization is horizontal job specialization. Job specialization allows the organization to specialize and professionalize activities of employees, to increase performance and quality of their work. Specialized divisions, being components (subsystems) of the complete organization, represent social systems (of a smaller size and complexity) and their activities are consciously directed and coordinated for achievement of a common goal. Activities for coordinating of work of people and special divisions (subsystems) constitute essence of management. 42

HR function is one of the subsystems in the social system of organization with the overall purpose of human resource management to ensure that the organization is able to achieve success through people. Human resource management is defined as a strategic and coherent approach to the management of an organization’s most valued assets – the people working there who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of its objectives. 43

HRM strategies aim to support programs for improving organizational effectiveness by developing policies in the following areas which are known as a human resource cycle and consists of four generic processes or functions that are performed in all organizations. selection developm ent appraisal reward 44

Human resource management is defined as a strategic approach to the management of an organization’s most valued assets – the people working there who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of its objectives. 45

3. Social Theory and Sociology 46

47

Sociology is the study of society. Sociology is a very broad discipline that examines how humans interact with each other and how human behavior is shaped by social structures (groups, communities, organizations), social categories (age, sex, class, race, etc. ), and social institutions (politics, religion, education, etc. ). The focus of attention is centered on group dynamics. The basic foundation of sociology is the belief that a person's attitudes, actions, and opportunities are shaped by all of these aspects of society. 48

The sociological perspective is fourfold: individuals belong to groups; groups influence our behavior; groups take on characteristics that are independent of their members (i. e. the whole is greater than the sum of its parts); and sociologists focus on behavior patterns of groups, such as differences based on sex, race, age, class, etc. 49

Sociology originated from and was influenced by the industrial revolution during the early nineteenth century. There are seven major founders of sociology: August Comte, W. E. B. Du Bois, Emile Durkheim, Harriet Martineau, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, and Max Weber. 50

August Comte is thought of as the "Father of Sociology" as he coined the term sociology in 1838. He believed that society should be understood and studied as it was, rather than what it ought to be. He was the first to recognize that the path to understanding the world and society was based in science. 51

52

Sociology is a very broad and diverse field. There are many different topics and scopes in the field of sociology, some of which are relatively new. The following are some of the major areas of research and application within the field of sociology. – – – – – Globalization Consumption Family Social inequity Knowledge Demography Health and illness Work and industry Education Religion 53

The sociology of globalization focuses on the economic, political, and cultural aspects and implications of a globally integrated society. Many sociologists focus on the way capitalism and consumer goods connect people all over the world, migration flows, and issues of inequality in global society. 54

Researchers in this subfield focus on the role of consumer goods in our everyday lives, their relationship to our individual and group identities, in our relationships with other people, in our culture and traditions, and the implications of consumer lifestyles. 55

The sociology of family examines things such as marriage, divorce, child rearing, and domestic abuse. Specifically, sociologists study how these aspects of the family are defined in different cultures and times and how they affect individuals and institutions. 56

The study of social inequality examines the unequal distribution of power, privilege, and prestige in society. These sociologists study differences and inequalities in social class, race, and gender. 57

Sociologists in this subfield focus on how institutions, ideology, and discourse (how we talk and write) shape the process of coming to know the world, and the formation of values, beliefs, common sense, and expectations. Many focus on the connection between power and knowledge. 58

Demography refers to a population's composition. Some of the basic concepts explored in demography include birth rate, fertility rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, and migration. Demographers are interested in how and why these demographics vary between societies, groups, and communities. 59

Sociologists who study health and illness focus on the social effects of, and societal attitudes towards, illnesses, diseases, disabilities, and the aging process. 60

The sociology of work concerns the implications of technological change, globalization, labor markets, work organization, managerial practices, and employment relations. 61

The sociology of education is the study of how educational institutions determine social structures and experiences. In particular, sociologists might look at how different aspects of educational institutions (teacher attitudes, peer influence, school climate, school resources, etc. ) affect learning and other outcomes. 62

The sociology of religion concerns the practice, history, development, and roles of religion in society. These sociologists examine religious trends over time, how various religions affect social interactions both within the religion and outside of it, and relations within religious institutions. 63

64

The reason for which we have personal computers now and did not have them 100 years ago is not that only now we realized the need for computers. The reason is the discoveries in fundamental physics generated modern electronics, discoveries in mathematical logic, and the need of nuclear physicists for a research of particles. 65

• The fundamental science is a science for the sake of science. It is a part of research activities without particular commercial or other practical purposes. • Natural sciences is an example of fundamental science. It is directed to knowledge of the nature, such as it is in itself irrespective of the fact which the application will be received by discoveries: space exploration or environmental pollution. And the natural sciences don't pursue any other objective. 66

• The fundamental science is a science for the sake of science. It is a part of research activities without particular commercial or other practical purposes. • Natural sciences is an example of fundamental science. It is directed to knowledge of the nature, such as it is in itself irrespective of the fact which the application will be received by discoveries: space exploration or environmental pollution. And the natural sciences don't pursue any other objective. 67

• The fundamental science is a science for the sake of science. It is a part of research activities without particular commercial or other practical purposes. • Natural sciences is an example of fundamental science. It is directed to knowledge of the nature, such as it is in itself irrespective of the fact which the application will be received by discoveries: space exploration or environmental pollution. And the natural sciences don't pursue any other objective. 68

• The applied science is the science directed to obtaining of specific scientific results which are topical issues or may potentially be used for satisfaction of private or public requirements. • Discovery resulted from applied science is connected with commercial effect. • The earnings from this commercial effect should exceed costs. 69

• Fundamental and applied sciences are two absolutely different activities. At the beginning, and it occurred in antique times, the distance between them was insignificant and almost everything that was discovered in the sphere of fundamental science was applied in practice immediately or in short period of time. • Archimedes discovered the law of the lever which was immediately used for military and engineering needs. Ancient Egyptians opened geometrical axioms, in a literal sense without coming off the earth as the geometrical science arose from needs of agriculture. • Gradually the distance increased and today reached a maximum. In practice realizes less than 1% of the discoveries made in net science. 70