Work: A Very Short Introduction

Work: A Very Short Introduction

The image of a job captures our imagination from an early age, usually prompted by the question 'What do you want to be when you grow up?'. Work -- paid, unpaid, voluntary, or obligatory -- is woven into the fabric of all human societies. For many of us, it becomes part of our identity. For others it is a tedious necessity. Living is problematic without paid work, and for many it is catastrophic. Steve Fineman tells the fascinating story of work - how we strive for security, reward, and often, meaning. Looking at how we classify 'work'; the cultural and social factors that influence the way we work; the ethics of certain types of work; and the factors that will affect the future of work, from globalization to technology, this Very Short Introduction considers work as a concept and as a practical experience, drawing upon ideas from psychology, sociology, management, and social history. Steve Fineman tells the fascinating story of work - how we strive for security, reward, and often, meaning This looks like yet another interesting addition to Oxford's fabulous VSI series Grrlscientist, the guardian This book is a great read and has made me think deeper into the values I associate with work and human value. --Arthur Zetes An authoritative but accessible introduction to the concept of work--from employment and labour, to their social class and power implications--exploring work's moral implications as well as how concepts have shaped 'work' in different societies at different times. Stephen Fineman is Professor Emeritus at the School of Management, University of Bath, UK. He has a long and distinguished reputation in the field of organizational behaviour, publishing specialized monographs, edited books and textbooks, all directly or indirectly concerned with the world of work.