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Faculty Publications
Bored And Busy: Sociology Of Knowledge Of Clerical Workers
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Sociological Perspectives
Volume
35
Issue
3
First Page
489
Last Page
503
Abstract
This article uses a sociology of knowledge approach to discuss the reproduction of inequality within the sociocultural world of clerical workers. A model of a semiotic square is used to analyze the experiences of bored and busy work. Through this analysis of bored and busy work, the author discovered clerical workers' perceptions and activities which were both subordinating and empowering. Clerical workers participate in the process of subordination through bored/busy work. However, they also participate in empowering strategies through not-bored/not-busy work. This sociology of knowledge approach shows that people are not automatons and strengthens our understanding of the social reproduction of inequality as a multi-faceted phenomenon. © 1992, Pacific Sociological Association. All rights reserved.
Department
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Original Publication Date
1-1-1992
DOI of published version
10.2307/1389331
Recommended Citation
Baker, Phyllis L., "Bored And Busy: Sociology Of Knowledge Of Clerical Workers" (1992). Faculty Publications. 4498.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/4498