****Apologies for cross-posting in advance! Thanks.***
Hello.
I thought I'd notify you all about the following new book by John Budd - The Thought of Work.
The content especially is helpful in informing our courses and research. Please see below.
Have a good beginning of term!
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The Thought of Work
John W. Budd
Cornell University Press, 2011
Paperback ISBN: 978-0-8014-7761-4
What is work? Is it simply a burden to be tolerated or something more
meaningful to one's sense of identity and self-worth? And why does it
matter? In a uniquely thought-provoking book, John W. Budd presents ten
historical and contemporary views of work from across the social
sciences and humanities. By uncovering the diverse ways in which we
conceptualize work--such as a way to serve or care for others, a source
of freedom, a source of income, a method of psychological fulfillment,
or a social relation shaped by class, gender, race, and power--"The
Thought of Work" reveals the wide-ranging nature of work and establishes
its fundamental importance for the human experience. When we work, we
experience our biological, psychological, economic, and social selves.
Work locates us in the world, helps us and others make sense of who we
are, and determines our access to material and social resources.
By integrating these distinct views, Budd replaces the usual fragmentary
approaches to understanding the nature and meaning of work with a
comprehensive approach that promotes a deep understanding of how work is
understood, experienced, and analyzed. Concepts of work affect who and
what is valued, perceptions of freedom and social integration, identity
construction, evaluations of worker well-being, the legitimacy and
design of human resource management practices, support for labor unions
and labor standards, and relationships between religious faith and work
ethics. By drawing explicit attention to diverse, implicit meanings of
work, "The Thought of Work" allows us to better understand work, to
value it, and to structure it in desirable ways that reflect its
profound importance.
The multidisciplinary coverage of "The Thought of Work" should be of
interest to scholars from across the social sciences, behavioral
sciences, philosophy, and theology. Its accessible style makes it
suitable for classroom use with students in sociology, economics,
psychology, human resources, industrial relations, law, and other areas.
Indeed, this book is accessible to anyone with an interest in work,
whether they are human resources professionals, advocates or activists,
policymakers, or individuals who work for living.
http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100390520
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