dc.description.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 | en |