Unskilled and semi-skilled factory workers: Major determinants of their modernization levels and attitudes towards their work

Abstract

In this study, we have tried to examine some of the major factors which influence individual modernization among factory manual workers (semiskilled and unskilled) and the factors which ·influence their acceptance of rules, regulations, conditions and terms of their work situation. We have referred to this acceptance as "industrial labour cornmitment". We have used social change and modernization theories advanced by sociologists like Toennies, Redfield, Lerner, Rogers, Hoselitz and Inkeles to construct a theoretical framework. The data was collected from factories in three towns in Kenya; Nairobi, Thika and Kiganjo. These three towns which lie on a continuum from the largest (Nairobi) to the smallest (Kiganjo) and Thika as the medium case provide a rural urban research design for the study. Using the factory manual workers as our unit of analysis, we first of all try to determine what factors influence modernization at the micro level. Then we try to find out whether modernization (measured by some specified attitudes and practices) is in any way related to the factory manual workers' acceptance of rules, regulations and terms of their occupations. We also attempt to determine whether the same factors which influence modernization at the micro level also influence workers' "industrial labour commitment" in similar directions. We end our analysis by trying to determine what factors have major influence., on wokers' level of industrial labour commitment We conclude our analysis by suggesting that industrial labour commitment and modernization are two separate processes determined by different factors. While modernization at the micro level is mainly influenced by level of formal education, exposure to urban environment and age, "industrial labour commitment" is very significantly determined by a worker's satisfaction with salary and the time he has spent in factory employment