help me find a topic

Eric12341 · 02-10-09, 02:11 AM

im taking a sociology of work class as part of my sociology major .and in this class we have to do a research project(a paper,do interviews or observations ) on a topic that pertains to work issues and im having trouble deciding over one so can anyone throw out some ideas for me?

CodeBubba · 02-10-09, 04:40 AM

How about a study on Office Politics and it's overall effects on productivity? It's fascinating to watch the B.S. that goes on in a company environment.

-CB :D

Jogga · 02-10-09, 01:03 PM

How about a study on the barriers to the successful implementation of socio-technical systems?

Computer systems are an obvious candidate for study in office environments but, if you work in manufacturing or retail, other methods or productivity tools might be considered and result in a fascinating study.

You might also consider widening your topic to organisational change strategies in general and how/why they were successful/unsuccessful. That really could grow arms and legs, so you would have to be very clear about what you were studying.

spunker88 · 02-10-09, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by CodeBubba

How about a study on Office Politics and it's overall effects on productivity? It's fascinating to watch the B.S. that goes on in a company environment.

-CB :D

Like on The Office tv show on NBC. That show is funny because so much of it could actually happen.

Eric12341 · 02-11-09, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by spunker88

Like on The Office tv show on NBC. That show is funny because so much of it could actually happen.

and it probably does, but yea this topic wouldnt work because as the prof claims "you cant measure productivity" ive seen many students get castigated in class because they mentioned productivity in their topics

Jogga · 02-11-09, 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by Eric12341

and it probably does, but yea this topic wouldnt work because as the prof claims "you cant measure productivity" ive seen many students get castigated in class because they mentioned productivity in their topics

I find that statement almost unbelievable!

Your lecturer must advocate a very narrow definition of productivity if he (or she) claims that it cannot be measured. Industrial, economic or market productivity is simply the ratio between an input and an output: the classic measure is employment costs against turnover, but there are many more. Such metrics as employment costs and sales (or units manufactured) should be easily definable and thus are measurable.

Moreover, productivity measures are essential benchmarking tools when assessing comparative performance or evaluating an investment and they serve as useful diagnostic tools when investigating performance issues.

As a caveat to my comments above, your lecturer may be alluding to the undeniable fact that productivity is a classic lagging indicator. This makes both the measurement and the declaration of productivity measures reactive; nonetheless, the inputs and outputs must still be measured or collated and the result is still a useful management tool.

Kool Breeze · 02-11-09, 08:19 AM

A survey and study on workplace ethics would be interesting. It is amazing to hear the differing opinions on what is considered acceptable behavior in a work-related environment.

Good luck and tell us what you finally decide on!

Tankman · 02-12-09, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by spunker88

Like on The Office TB show on NBC. That show is funny because so much of it could actually happen.

Very realistic show. The Office is a big hit 'cause "it does happen."

Eric12341 · 02-12-09, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by Tankman

Very realistic show. The Office is a big hit 'cause "it does happen."

the office videos on youtube are pretty funny too

Kool Breeze · 02-13-09, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Tankman

Very realistic show. The Office is a big hit 'cause "it does happen."

That is also exactly why the Dilbert comics are so popular; some things you just can't make up! So many times I have found myself in such ridiculous situations that I have to ask my co-workers, "Oh my God, are we in a Dilbert strip?"