Oxford University Press The Transformation of Work in the New Economy: Sociological Readings

In The Transformation of the New Economy, editors Robert Perrucci and Carolyn C. Perrucci critically examine existing conditions in the workplace and discuss the political and economic forces that have shaped them. The book explores established practices governing how products are produced, how work is organized, and who comprises the labor force. Perrucci and Perrucci examine computerized production technology, global production chains, and the international division of labor as products of political struggles between corporations, workers, and the government. The outcomes of these struggles have produced our global economy, made jobs less secure, and kept wages of average Americans from growing the way they did post-World War II. These outcomes have also led to downsizing in the workplace, restructuring the social organization of work, and outsourcing jobs to other countries. This anthology illustrates how the new economy has affected: * Job opportunities and income for workers of different gender, race, and class. * Working conditions of professionals, factory workers, and workers in the service economy. * Family life of parents, children, and dual earners. The closing section of the book focuses on policy changes that could improve the conditions of workers in the new economy--with specific attention to raising wages, better access to health care, and company policies that empower workers. Review "This is a truly rich and exciting edited volume, and one that will certainly add lively discussion to classes pertaining to the workplace, social change, and social stratification. Robert and Carolyn Perrucci's careful selection of readings address the most pressing of contemporary workplace concerns. These include globalization and its costs; technological and organizational developments and their implications for workplace control; persistent inequalities and the workplace experiences of pink-, blue-, and white-collar workers; work-family tensions and their contemporary manifestations; and the potential for labor revitalization in the face of these changes. Beyond timely, this anthology reflects a comprehensive and exciting collection that will certainly be widely read and appreciated."--Vincent J. Roscigno, Ohio State University; editor of American Sociological Review "This book is a cutting-edge collection of excerpts and articles that thoroughly covers the many dimensions of contemporary work and employment. Each reading is preceded by a brief editorial paragraph that explains and contextualizes the topic, and each is then followed by incisive discussion questions. These learning aids will invite students' critical reflection and clarify for them the importance of all the entries in relation to the complex subject of work in the new economy."--Vicki Smith, University of California, Davis; author of Crossing the Great Divide: Worker Risk and Opportunity in the New Economy