CHAPTER 3 - NORMS, EXPECTATIONS, OUTPUT AND EARNINGS

Abstract

This chapter discusses the extent to which management expectations were accepted by the workers in the Wye garment workshop. Though workers may accept management's definition of their role and fulfill management expectations, this does not necessarily mean that they are satisfied with their situation. Other factors may intervene to create dissatisfaction. The chapter describes the situation in the workshop to highlight the possible factors that seemed to be affecting the relationship between management and the workers. Earnings would seem prima facie to be an important element in a worker's satisfaction with the job and in relationships with management. The analysis of the earnings figures helps to determine whether a norm of output and earnings existed that differed from the management norm. The examination of workers' social relationships indicates the extent to which such controls over output and earnings as existed were collectively sanctioned.