Previous exam papers

Answer any THREE questions. All questions are equally weighted. You have three hours for this examination (in week ten).

December 2006

1) Critically analyse the work of one of the following contributors to labour process theory:

a) Friedman (1977)
b) Burawoy (1979)
c) R. Edwards (1979)

And comment on what the insights reveal about the nature of capitalist employment.

2) Assess the extent to which flexible specialisation represents a paradigmatic change in the organization of work.

3) Analyse the view that electronic surveillance systems render supervisory power perfect.

4) Review the reasons why case studies are a preferred methodological approach for labour process theorists.

5) Critically evaluate why workplace misbehaviour has become a feature of contemporary debates that surround the labour process.

December 2005

1) What are the main strengths and weaknesses of Braverman’s (1974) contribution to the labour process debate (40 per cent of awarded marks)? Appraise how one of the theorists below addressed the alleged weaknesses identified in Braverman’s argument (60 per cent of awarded marks).

a) Friedman (1977)
b) Burawoy (1979)
c) R. Edwards (1979)

2) ‘Labour process approaches take as their starting point the organization of work and struggles that take place within the production process’ (P.K. Edwards, 1986). Using Edward’s statement as the basis of your response, summarise the main objectives of a labour process approach and critique its usefulness as a means to understand the people-orientated aspects of contemporary forms of work organization such as flexible specialization.

3) In seeking to develop an understanding of how Japanese management systems transfer into Western plants, Delbridge (1995) believes that the use of participant observation offers the most effective data collection technique. Briefly outline what Delbridge means by ‘participant observation’ and then evaluate the extent to which such methods allow a critical understanding of human action and experience of work.

4) Critically review the effectiveness of contemporary management strategies, which are aimed at suppressing and manufacturing workplace humour.

5) ‘…[A] more realistic portrayal of corporate life may depend on the realization that all employees (managers and technocrats as well as workers) have the ability and motivation to resist administrative, structural and technical controls instituted by capital elites’ (LaNeuz and Jermier, 1994). Using illustrations where appropriate, outline and then discuss the main motives behind management-related acts of sabotage

December 2004

1) Outline the main ideas of one of the following theorists – Burawoy, Friedman, or R. Edwards – and then assess their contribution to our understandings of how people are managed.

2) Critically evaluate the extent to which flexible specialisation represents a radical departure in how people work.

3) Profile the main methods used in labour process research and then consider their strengths and weaknesses as a means of furthering our understandings of how people are managed.

4) Using examples, evaluate the extent to which workers can utilise humour as a means of subverting management strategy.

5) Critique the perspective that sophisticated and advanced technologies have reduced the possibilities of worker resistance to highly individualistic and self-contained acts.