About this previous year paper
Course: B.Tech (All Branches – Core Humanities Elective)
Subject Code: EHU402
Subject Title: Industrial Sociology
Exam Type: Theory (Semester IV, 2016–17)
Duration: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 100
Instruction: Be precise in your answer.
SECTION – A (10 × 2 = 20 Marks)
Short, direct questions testing definitions and conceptual clarity.
| No. | Topic | Concept Summary |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Marketing Theory in Collective Bargaining | Collective bargaining is viewed as a market relationship between workers and employers negotiating “labor power” as a commodity. |
| (b) | Disciplinary Procedure | Step-by-step process followed by management to handle misconduct — includes warning, inquiry, suspension, and action. |
| (c) | Bi-Partite | Agreement between two parties, usually management and workers/unions. |
| (d) | Stay-in Strike | Workers remain inside the workplace but refuse to work. |
| (e) | Hierarchy | Organizational arrangement where authority flows from top to bottom levels. |
| (f) | Workers’ Participation in Management | System where workers share decision-making power with management to improve cooperation. |
| (g) | Slow-Down Strike | Workers deliberately reduce work speed to protest without halting production completely. |
| (h) | Gender Parity | Equal treatment and opportunity for men and women in industrial employment. |
| (i) | Role of Small-Scale Sector | Generates employment, promotes entrepreneurship, supports regional balance in development. |
| (j) | Boycott | Organized refusal to buy or work as a form of protest. |
SECTION – B (5 × 10 = 50 Marks)
Descriptive and analytical questions examining understanding of industrial relations, discipline, and organizational structure.
2(a) Impact of Industrial Disputes on the Economy
Leads to loss of production, revenue, and labor time.
Creates social unrest and reduces foreign investment confidence.
Affects national productivity and living standards.
2(b) Joint Management Councils
Formed to encourage labor–management cooperation.
Functions include:
Discussing welfare, training, and safety.
Improving efficiency and productivity.
Reducing conflict through dialogue.
2(c) Causes of Indiscipline in Indian Industries
Poor leadership, unfair labor practices, lack of communication, or low morale.
Suggestions: Transparent policies, effective grievance handling, and employee motivation.
2(d) Industrialization in India Since Independence
Post-1947 focus on public sector growth, industrial policy resolutions, and liberalization (1991).
Led to modernization, employment growth, and global integration.
2(e) Weapons Used by Management Against Workers
Lockouts, transfers, dismissals, blacklisting.
Justification depends on whether used fairly and legally to maintain discipline.
2(f) Management Policies & Grievance Causes
Causes: wage issues, promotion, work conditions.
Policies: grievance redressal committees, open-door communication, timely resolution.
2(g) Tripartite Machinery and Code of Discipline
Tripartite System: Involves government, employers, and workers — e.g., Indian Labour Conference (ILC).
Code of Discipline: Mutual agreement to maintain industrial peace, avoid strikes/lockouts during negotiations.
SECTION – C (2 × 15 = 30 Marks)
In-depth analytical or policy-related essay-type questions.
3. Works Committees and Joint Management Councils
Works Committees: Mandated under the Industrial Disputes Act (1947).
Promote goodwill, address day-to-day issues, and improve worker–management cooperation.
Joint Management Councils: Broader forums for policy discussion and productivity enhancement.
Review: Mixed success due to limited worker participation and management’s reluctance to share authority.
4. Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (India 2013)
Aims for inclusive growth through research and technological advancement.
Focus:
Strengthen R&D infrastructure.
Encourage private–public partnerships.
Promote innovation in sustainable development sectors.
5. Settlement of Industrial Disputes
Methods include:
Collective Bargaining
Conciliation
Arbitration
Adjudication
Most Effective: Collective bargaining — builds trust and long-term cooperation between labor and management.
Key Topics Summary
| Unit | Topic | Core Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| I | Industrialization & Society | Evolution of industries, social change, urbanization |
| II | Industrial Relations | Disputes, discipline, grievance, cooperation |
| III | Labor Participation | Joint councils, bipartite & tripartite systems |
| IV | Industrial Policy & Small-Scale Sector | Economic impact, entrepreneurship |
| V | Science & Technology in Industry | Innovation, modernization, policy frameworks |
Summary
The Industrial Sociology (EHU402) paper integrates social and managerial aspects of industrial development.
It aims to build understanding of how social behavior, worker participation, and industrial policies shape productivity and harmony in modern industries.