Abstract
This paper explains that Braverman focuses on the labor process under Fordism, arguing that work, under the discipline of scientific management, becomes disjointed, dull, and repetitive. The author points out Braverman's prophecy on technological change is that every new technology destroys jobs and degrades the work, as was seen in the high-tech wave of the 1990s. The paper concludes that Braverman made a wrong calculation because, in a larger perspective, technological innovations, when driven towards cost-saving and enhancing efficiency, bring new jobs and competitiveness to the industry and economy.

From the Paper
"According to him, manufacturing firms were engaged primarily in production. By the end of the century their primary activity had become the pursuit of monopoly power. The objective of monopoly power is to increase the margin of price over production cost for the firm's products and to increase the sale of the products at these prices. These activities include research and development, discovering new products, and reducing production costs, selling and advertising to increase sales and the markup of price over production costs. They also include labor relations to persuade or threaten workers to produce more or accept lower wages. They also embrace political contributions, lobbying and corruption of government officials in order to obtain natural resources on favorable terms and other favors of government. In addition, they include the employment of lawyers, accountants, and financiers to avoid and evade taxes and to influence tax legislation."

Tags:computers, fordism, labor, change, prophecy

Abstract
This paper discusses Harry Braverman's thesis in which he argues that capitalism has transformed 'all of society into a gigantic marketplace', subordinating 'the totality of individual, family and social needs' to the market. Further, the paper explains the implications of Moisio et al's research, "Between Mothers and Markets" regarding homemade food for Braverman's thesis. The paper examines these findings by interviewing and observing members of three generations. For this observation the writer conducted interviews with his grandmother and mother and presents his own opinions as a representative of the younger generation.

From the Paper
"Braverman's thesis states that, "Capitalism has transformed all of society into a gigantic marketplace" subordinating 'the totality of individual, family and social needs' to the market. However, the early stages of industrial capitalism had not yet fully affected the economic unit of the family. Daily lives of the family, community, and society were still based on the productive process, including the raising of crops and livestock. Family needs were supplied by its members thus, making the 'producer' and 'consumer' virtually identical. It is within the last hundred year's industrial capitalism and the "universal market" has taken over the lives of families. It has created a shift from being the family unit of production to a family unit of consumption. "Industrial capitalism has thrust itself between farm and household, and appropriated all the processing functions of both, thus extending the commodity form to food in its semi-prepared or even fully prepared forms." (Braverman, 1974: 274)"

Tags:home, industry, economy

Abstract
This paper examines how a critical issue in international and comparative human resource management (HRM) studies concerns the perception that ?globalisation? is creating convergence (or contingency) in business and industrial relations practices. It looks at how academic debate centres on the crucial argument of whether convergence is an increasing phenomenon, fuelled by globalisation, or, in reality, the opposite is true ? that national cultures and institutions are a unique force for perpetuating diversity and divergence. Consideration is given to contemporary sources that analyse the convergence-divergence debate in HRM and international management.

From the Paper
"The convergence perspective originated from the work of Kerr et al (1960), which stated that organisations? use of functional specialisation would increasingly create a convergent dynamic for business - leading to a common structuring of the workforce within and across countries, based on technological changes and work systems. Beardwell and Holden (2001) note the convergent similarities in car production plants worldwide, echoing the findings of Mueller and Purcell (1992), that see globalising forces as a key factor in converging operational and management processes. Ritzer (1998) also applies the convergent paradigm to his studies into fast-food businesses and society. "The McDonaldization Thesis" illustrates the way multinationals use and perpetuate convergence in order to homogenise working practices, business processes and human resource management for increased economies of scale and competitive advantage."

Tags:braverman, hofstede, ibm, mcdonaldization, resource, trompenaars