Sociology Essay: Exploring Work and Motivation in Contemporary Society

This essay delves into the sociological aspects of work and motivation in contemporary society. It explores the evolution of work, from pre-industrial times to the present, highlighting the impact of neo-liberalization, globalization, and technological advancements. The essay examines the diversification of the workforce, including the inclusion of women, marginalized communities, and the sexually diverse, and the resulting organizational and individual well-being. It also addresses the risks associated with contemporary work environments, such as workplace violence and the challenges of adapting to global work cultures. Furthermore, the essay defines work and employment from a sociological perspective, emphasizing their significance for individual economic independence and societal development, referencing key authors and concepts to support its arguments. The essay concludes by highlighting the historical and ongoing importance of work as a source of identity, social integration, and emancipation.

Running head: WORK AND MOTIVATION
WORK AND MOTIVATION
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

1WORK AND MOTIVATION
In sociological terms, the contemporary work society has always been a part of
modernism and modern outlook. In recent terms, the contemporary work societies have seen a
numerous changes beginning from neo-liberalization, entry of women in labor force post world
wars and the free market concept in the global market post colonization era (Smith 2013). The
global contemporary work societies have emerged as one of the most powerful ways of
empowerment of the citizens who belong to the marginalized sections of the society, including
women, disabled, senior citizens and transgender. The post-industrial contemporary work
societies have provided the world with new economic waves, paving way for individual as well
as collective well-being of all, especially the concept of free market. The concept of neo-
liberalized free market has emerged as a revolutionary turn in the world of imperialism and
crony capitalism. With neo-liberalization came the autonomous use of technology, which
brought the concept of paperless office and automation, which completely changed the outlook
and productivity of the contemporary working societies. With the inclusion of diversified
workforce, there has been organizational and individual well being in the society as every
individual, irrespective of gender and ethnicity, is now eligible to show his/her talent and
capabilities to the world which is comparatively unbiased, rational and non discriminatory as far
as the diversity of the world is concerned. With more diverse market forces, economic growth
and automation, the lifestyle of the contemporary population has enhanced up to a certain extent
towards modernity and development and people can now practice intellectual exercises more
than before.
The contemporary work societies of the world have witnessed certain organizational
structural changes and differentiated processes through evolution as well as revolution. For

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instance, the entrance of the sexually diverse people in the work societies and workforce all over
the world in every reputed and rational corporate has completely changed the face of the work
societies all over the world. Therefore, the workforce has become much diverse and flexible than
before. The women employees, nowadays, no matter what sector they work in, apart from getting
adequate maternity leave, are also eligible for menstrual leave, thanks to the third wave of
feminism that arose in the world due to industrial revolution and upheaval (Webster 2014). Apart
from that, the women employees as well as the senior citizen employees are subjected to a
plethora of flexibilities inside as well as outside the organization. Therefore, in the new and
contemporary work societies, the marginalized and oppressed sections of the society, including
the indigenous people from various ethnic communities, have the chance of getting recognition
in the world forum, showcase their talent and capabilities in their workplace and earn
individualistic and collective respect which were long lost in them. The risks that are included in
such contemporary work societies is that with the increase of globalization, work patterns have
also evolved. Therefore, it can be difficult to adjust with the global work climate and culture for
certain groups of people. Apart from that, with the emergence of new innovations and
technologies, new patterns of crime have also emerged. Therefore, workplace violence pattern
has changed and evolved. So, the risk of experiencing new kinds of violence and crime are
present in the contemporary work societies (Noon, Blyton and Morrell 2013).
The concept of work and employment, in the contemporary societies, has provided the
people of the world with different outlook and aspiration. The fact that a person holds a job, no
matter how menial or colossal it is, is eligible to have a bank account and lead life of an
integrated individual, irrespective of that person’s gender, race and nationality. However, in
certain third world countries deny the source of income to women and other marginalized

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people. However, the sense of earning one’s own living has provided the individuals with
economic independence, which is the first step of not only individual development, but also
collective development. The women nowadays are no longer financially dependent on their male
counterparts, rather they are receiving victory in every work spheres (Muzio, Brock and Suddaby
2013). The transgender people and sexually diverse people, who had been denied the basic
human rights, have been provided with prestigious jobs and professions which has led to an
upheaval in their social and economic conditions to a greater extent. Therefore, it has to be
remembered that, the work societies in the contemporary world has a greater economic as well as
social effect on the individuals and the societies (Ransome 2019).
Work and employment, in sociological perspectives, is defined as carrying out certain
tasks which involves the utilization and expenditure of mental and physical effort, which has the
objective of production of goods and services that cater to the human needs and in which certain
economic relations are executed. An occupation, or a job, is work that is done in exchange for a
regular wage or salary. Jobs are essential for the survival of human beings in today’s
contemporary chrony capitalist society. After the industrial revolution, during the Reformation
(1500s), work became a badge of honor in itself. Working hard was seen as pious and God-
loving. Work was no longer seen as something the poor did, but something that all people should
be proud to do. Craftsmanship was lauded. At the start of the industrial revolution workers had to
work long hours in less-than-ideal working conditions. The work ethic built through the
Reformation helped workers transition from creative pursuits to factory positions. During this
time in working history, there was a sense of loyalty between worker and employer. Many
workers stayed with the same company from the start of employment until retirement. In the
contemporary world too, work has become a badge of honor and prestige. It has become a sign

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of social integrity as well as a way of emancipation from social evils in case of women,
transgender, disabled and differently able people. Therefore, work and employment has a deep
and intense history in the world and has also evolved not only through evolution but also
revolution (Watson 2013).

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References:
Muzio, D., Brock, D.M. and Suddaby, R., 2013. Professions and institutional change: Towards
an institutionalist sociology of the professions. Journal of management studies, 50(5), pp.699-
721.
Noon, M., Blyton, P. and Morrell, K., 2013. The realities of work: Experiencing work and
employment in contemporary society. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Ransome, P., 2019. Sociology and the future of work: contemporary discourses and debates.
Routledge.
Smith, V. ed., 2013. Sociology of work: An encyclopedia. Sage Publications.
Watson, T., 2013. The Personnel Managers (Routledge Revivals): A Study in the Sociology of
Work and Employment. Routledge.
Webster, J., 2014. Shaping women's work: Gender, employment and information technology.
Routledge.