16

Social Organization

1. INTRODUCTION

According to Talcott Parsons, as noted already in Chapter 4, society is the total complex of human relationships. Social organization, as is evident by its name, refers to the organization of society. Therefore, social organization is the organization of the complex of human relationships. Society is an aggregate of numerous small groups. Institutions and associations control and regulate the mutual relationships between individuals in these groups. Social organization encompasses these institutions and their mutual relationships. Besides, it also covers the unorganized activities of the group.

2. MEANING OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

It is a social system where the people are interrelated with each other. The size and the type of work they do may vary from each other’s group, and each group varies according to its nature of work in the society. Although there are differences in the nature of work they do, people are related to each other, and they work in unity. Hence, it will be good to refer the term social organization as social system because sociologists believe that it explains the importance of the way the society is organized, and even sociological studies and related research activities also explain the same thought. Although social organization is complex, the activities of such society are controlled by policies framed by the government that the rules the country; for example, even a small body of organized police can control a large group of people. There are also some associational groups in our society such as schools, corporations, banks, prisons, army-related institutions, and so on, which are simply referred as social organizations. A state is called as a political organization because it is a group of members, who represent and control the state. School is called an educational organization where all the children receive education and form a social organization. According to Ogburn and Nimkoff, a society forms a vast representation of a whole society, which in turn represents an organized group of individuals who interact with each other. All the people in the society are interrelated to each other and possess history and civilization. Social organization has developed from ancient culture and civilization. Ancient civilizations have taught how a social group is formed gradually by natural evolution, how social organizations are planned and balanced, and how polices are developed for proper human conduct and behaviour. For example, in Hindu community, the social thinkers have described the concept of human life and its meaning and process; they have framed certain ideals, and they lived and showed the society according to the ideals, values, and policies that have formed the base for their social organization.

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

There many characteristics that exist in the society, which are framed as per the purpose for human welfare. They are as follows:

• Every social organization has been framed with a definite purpose.
• Every individual has definite goals and they form definite pattern of interaction.
• Each organization runs efficiently since all the members have cooperation, unity, and mutual understanding.
• An organization has the capability to bring different kinds of people to work together and do different kinds of job.
• Organization makes the individuals to takeover different kind of roles and obtain the social status.
• Organization runs smoothly since the members accept the roles and responsibilities and enact their roles well.
• Organization evaluates the code of conduct and controls the behaviour of the individual.

Figure 16.1 Characteristics of Social Organization

3.1. Purpose of the Social Organization

• Usually the social system has all the constituents of the society, which form strong interrelationships among them. Institutions such as schools, churches, banks, prison, and so on form associated groups.
• A society is called organized and systematic only if all the constituents in the society are functioning smoothly and perform their functions properly.
• As per the views of M.E. Jones, social organization is the whole part of a social system in the society and each part of the system is interrelated to each other.
• Every activity of the society is organized to maintain good production activities, which promotes the social status of the society and also helps to attain the objectives of the societal works.

4. ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

The important elements are as follows:

• A social group usually forms a unique society.
• Each society has interrelated hierarchy level of groups and status.
• Each member in the society values the groups and lives and works in cooperation.
• There is a great level of integration and association among the members in the society who follow polices and social practices to avoid conflicts.
• There is specific code of conduct and ethics framed in the society to be followed by all, and it is customary to follow relationships.

5. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND SOCIAL GROUP

Social organization is based on social groups. Large groups are being constantly differentiated into smaller ones. At the same time, small groups are being constantly integrated into larger ones. These continual processes of differentiation and integration are the processes of social organization. Social organization is the resultant of the interaction of these two forces within social groups.

According to George Peter Murdock, social organization is the organization in small groups, particularly in those groups which are based on age, blood relationships, occupation, habitation, ownership of property, and status. In fact, social organization can be said to be the pattern of intergroup relationships. What the natural relations of various groups in any society are depends upon its social organization. In this way, there is a very intimate relation between social group and social organization.

6. FEATURES OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

• Unanimity among the members: Social organization demands that there be unanimity among the members of a society. If there is no unanimity, it will give rise to conflict, which in turn will lead to social disorganization.
• Readiness to accept roles: If unanimity has to be maintained among the members of a society, then they must be ready to accept their status and respective roles within the social organization. In society, there is a great variety in terms of sex, age, status, physical capability, skills, and duties. A combination of these factors leads to everyone having a definite social status. Now, this social status forms the basis on which roles are apportioned. If everyone covets the same kind of role, then the society will lose its organic character.
• Control of society: There will be no grudges regarding the role apportioned to the members as long as the society has control over them. Habits, customs, traditions, mores, rituals, and institutions are the agents of social control.

Figure 16.2 Features of Social Organization

7. TYPES OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Social organization has several types as explained in Table 16.1.

TABLE 16.1 Types of Social Organizations

7.1. Formal Organizations

A century ago, most people lived in small groups of family, friends, and neighbours. Today, our lives revolve more and more around formal organizations—large secondary groups organized to achieve their goals efficiently. Formal organizations, such as business corporations and government agencies, differ from families and neighbourhoods in an important way. Their greater size makes social relations less personal and fosters a formal, planned atmosphere. In other words, formal organizations operate in a deliberate way—not to meet personal needs but to accomplish complex jobs.

7.1.1. Types of Formal Organizations

Arnitai Etzioni (1975) identified three types of formal organizations distinguished by the reasons why people participate in them: utilitarian organizations, normative organizations, and coercive organizations.

Figure 16.3 Types of Formal Organization

1. Utilitarian organizations: Just about everyone who works for an income belongs to a utilitarian organization. It is one that pays people for their efforts. Large businesses, for example, generate profits for their owners and income for their employees.
2. Normative organizations: When people join an organization not for utilitarian purposes but for pursuing a moral and ethical goal, they belong to a normative organization. Sometimes called voluntary associations, such organizations include community service groups (such as the PTA, the Lions Club, the League of Women Voters, and Red Cross) as well as political parties and religious organizations
3. Coercive organizations: When people are forced to join an organization, they may be said to belong to a coercive organization. Its membership may be enforced upon someone as a form of punishment or treatment. Prisons and several psychiatric hospitals are examples of such involuntary membership. Coercive organization has special physical features such as locked doors and barred windows and it is supervised by security personnel.

8. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FORMAL AND INFORMAL ORGANIZATIONS

There are two types of interrelationships found in the society, which are as follows:

1. Formal organization: It will be any state or any institution, industry, church which has formal relationships.
2. Informal organization: It forms any peer or friends groups gangs which does not have any formal relationship

There should be a goodwill and interest in developing any organization whether it may be formal or informal. However, neither the formal nor the informal organizations support each other. They always have complicated relationship with each other.

According to Page, if there are good channels of communication maintained in formal organizations, then it helps to develop informal roles and relationships, for example, friendships and primary group relations. According to Charles Bernard, it is important to maintain and respect the values and integrity of each and every individual while managing any formal organization by having good channels of communication.

9. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FORMAL AND INFORMAL ORGANIZATIONS

The organizations that work on their own with a motto to serve the society are called as voluntary health agencies. Table 16.2 explains about some voluntary agencies and their work.

10. VOLUNTARY SOCIAL HEALTH AGENCIES

There are several agencies, in India as well as in the world, working towards betterment of the society. Table 16.2 enumerates some of these organizations.

TABLE 16.2 Social Health Agencies

11. ROLE OF INDIVIDUALS IN ORGANIZATIONS

Each individual has different needs and issues to be solved in their day-to-day lives. They have a definite role in organizing their needs in the society. Each member participates in every event in the society in order to meet their needs and the societal needs. Hence there is a mutual gain for both in the society; for example, a member participating in an exam duty as an examiner in case of any educational institution is to gain money for self and status in the society. Members get their identity in their organization through their achievements by participating in the activities of the organization. Basically, individual motives determine identification in the society. When all individual needs are met, the organization’s goal are achieved in a better manner. Where the organizational go are perceived and shared, with issues of prestige get solved, therefore good communication exist with all the hierarchy levels it results in less envy and competition within the organization.

Strong motivation is needed for successful functioning of any individual in the institution; people in the organization need to be motivated to fulfil the goals of the organization. Success of an institution needs cooperation, co-ordination, and unity of members. Strong philosophy and polices framed to be followed by members of an organization maintain the equilibrium at all levels. The organization grows depending on the unity and coordination of its members.

12. ROLE OF SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS IN MAINTAINING HEALTH

According to WHO, health is a state of physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of illness or infirmity. Naturally, the tendency of the society is to provide maximum help to serve the human community. In order to attain the health for all in the society, many voluntary and involuntary agencies help the people in the society. The basic nature of all human beings is to help each other for better survival in the society. Health is a broad concept very difficult to achieve within a short interval; every individual in the society works hard to provide the health-care services. It can be a doctor, nurse, social worker, psychologist, or others. Social welfare organizations, for example, WHO, UNICEF, DANIDA, and others, also provide health care. Their main goal is to provide maximum health services to the periphery of the community. These health services are implemented through the primary health centres, community health centres, sub-centres, and hospitals in rural slum and the urban areas. Their main goals are as follows:

• Providing equitable health care services to all.
• Providing perinatal care for mothers in the community.
• Providing safe and drinking water facilities especially in slum and rural areas.
• Maintaining sanitation.
• Providing electricity and needed facilities in rural and urban areas.
• Reducing the mortality and morbidity rates in infants, children, antenatal, and postnatal mothers in high-risk areas.

These activities help people maintain their health and live in social harmony.

• Social organization is necessary for the smooth functioning of society.
• Due to various institutions and associations, a co-ordination is maintained among the activities of the various groups that society is composed of.

I. LONG ESSAY

• Define social organizations and explain the meaning and characteristics of social organizations.
• Discuss in detail about the role of social welfare organizations in maintaining health.

II. SHORT ESSAY

• Explain elements of social organizations.
• Describe social organization and social groups.
• Discuss the features of social organizations.
• Explain the types of social organizations.
• Enumerate the relationship between formal and informal organizations.
• Explain the difference between formal and informal organizations.
• Describe the social health agencies.
• Explain the role of individual in organization.

III. SHORT ANSWERS

• Explain normative organizations.
• Explain coercive organizations.
• Explain WHO.
• Explain Red Cross Society.
• Explain professional bodies.

IV. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Which of the following is an organization?
   1. UNO
   2. international law
   3. diplomacy
   4. diplomatic protection
2. Which of the following is/are the key features of organization?
   1. social invention
   2. accomplishing goals
   3. group efforts
   4. all of these
3. A study of human behaviour in organizational settings is
   1. individual behaviour
   2. group behaviour
   3. organizational behaviour
   4. none of these
4. Social organization is based on
   1. social groups
   2. social problems
   3. social change
   4. social norms
5. Social organization is a whole composed of co-operating specialized parts:
   1. Edward. B. Rewter
   2. M.A. Eliott
   3. E.E. Lumley
   4. Ralph
6. Features of social organizations are
   1. unanimity among the members
   2. readiness to accept roles
   3. control of society
   4. all of the above
7. The members in the organization, who work for an income is called
   1. normative organization
   2. utilitarian organization
   3. formal organization
   4. informal organization
8. Social organization is the process of
   1. integration and differentiation
   2. integration and association
   3. differentiation and association
   4. differentiation and isolation
9. Status is the rank or position of an individual in a group. This was said by
   1. Horton and Hunt
   2. Linton
   3. Maclver
   4. Tonny
10. Dimensions of role are
    1. based on ascribed status and achieved status
    2. more focused and more diffused roles
    3. self-oriented and public-oriented roles
    4. all of the above

ANSWERS

1. a 2. d 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. d 7. b 8. a 9. a 10. d

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3. Macionis, J.J. (2006). Sociology (New Delhi: Pearson Education).
4. Park, K. (1994). Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine (Jabalpur: Banarsidas Bhanot).
5. Pothen, K.P. and S. Pothen (2006). Sociology for Nurses (Indore: N.R. Brothers).