Work and Society
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2024
Pages: 316
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2025
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Work and Society is the required textbook for Working Around the World, fulfilling the upper-division Social Sciences requirement in general education. It provides students with a strong foundation for entering the global workforce, while graduate students can also use it as an elective for advanced insights into work and society.
The book explores global perspectives on work, focusing on theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Topics include the influence of religion, culture, economics, and political systems on labor practices, as well as the impact of immigration, climate, and gender roles. It also highlights ethical leadership and the integration of art, music, and religion in the workplace.
Designed to foster critical thinking, Work and Society equips readers to address real-world challenges in the global workforce and encourages reflection on the evolving nature of work.
Dr. Viktor Wang, a distinguished Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Technology, is a pioneering figure in the field of Education. With a prolific output of over 240 refereed publications, Dr. Wang has not only advanced scholarly discourse but has also nurtured the academic growth of his peers and students. His leadership has fostered the research endeavors of numerous colleagues, resulting in the contribution of over 200 articles to his journals and 1500 chapters to his books by colleagues and doctoral students alike. Dr. Wang's journals and books, featuring contributions from leading scholars worldwide, are esteemed resources cataloged by prestigious institutions like the JOHN M. PFAU LIBRARY and other renowned university libraries across the globe. Recognized for his exceptional leadership, Dr. Wang was honored with the 2016 Presidential Award for Exceptional and Innovative Leadership by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, in addition to multiple institutional accolades such as the Distinguished Faculty & Scholarly Achievement Award. With a legacy of mentoring and guiding more than 70 dissertation candidates, Dr. Wang continues to shape the future of education through his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.
王维克多博士是教育领导与技术系的杰出教授，也是教育领域的开创性人物。王博士发表了240多篇经同行评审的出版物，不仅推动了学术讨论的进展，还培养了同事和学生的学术成长。在他的领导下，许多同事的研究工作得以推进，他们在他的期刊上发表了超过200篇文章，并在他的书籍中贡献了1500个章节。王博士的期刊和书籍汇集了全球领先学者的贡献，受到了诸如约翰·M·普法图图书馆等著名机构以及全球其他知名大学图书馆的认可。由于其卓越的领导能力，王博士荣获了美国成人与继续教育协会2016年总统奖，表彰其卓越和创新的领导力。此外，他还获得了多项机构荣誉，如杰出教师与学术成就奖。作为一位导师，王博士指导了70多名博士候选人的论文工作，通过对卓越和创新的不懈追求，继续塑造教育的未来。
Dr. Viktor Wang, ein angesehener Professor im Fachbereich Bildungsleitung und -technologie, ist eine führende Figur im Bereich der Bildung. Mit über 240 begutachteten Veröffentlichungen hat Dr. Wang nicht nur den wissenschaftlichen Diskurs vorangetrieben, sondern auch das akademische Wachstum seiner Kollegen und Studierenden gefördert. Unter seiner Führung wurden die Forschungsbestrebungen zahlreicher Kollegen unterstützt, die über 200 Artikel zu seinen Zeitschriften und 1500 Kapitel zu seinen Büchern beigetragen haben. Dr. Wangs Zeitschriften und Bücher, die Beiträge führender Wissenschaftler weltweit enthalten, sind angesehene Ressourcen, die von renommierten Institutionen wie der JOHN M. PFAU BIBLIOTHEK und anderen bekannten Universitätsbibliotheken weltweit katalogisiert werden. Anerkannt für seine außergewöhnliche Führungsqualität, wurde Dr. Wang 2016 mit dem Presidential Award for Exceptional and Innovative Leadership der American Association for Adult and Continuing Education ausgezeichnet, zusätzlich zu mehreren institutionellen Ehrungen wie dem Distinguished Faculty & Scholarly Achievement Award. Mit einer Tradition der Betreuung und Anleitung von über 70 Doktoranden prägt Dr. Wang weiterhin die Zukunft der Bildung durch sein unermüdliches Streben nach Exzellenz und Innovation.
"As the former Department Chair of Professional Studies at California State University, Long Beach, I had the privilege of overseeing the largest Workforce Education department on the West Coast. My tenure involved a critical task: expanding our department's reach, even as we successfully recruited nearly 2,000 adult learners. One of the strategies we employed to increase our Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES) was to develop innovative General Education courses. Among these, "Working Around the World" was one of three new courses I designed to address the evolving needs of our diverse student body.
Despite our efforts, finding a suitable textbook for this course proved challenging. We needed a resource that could comprehensively address the complexities of work in a global context, encompassing diverse cultural, economic, and social perspectives. It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce Dr. Viktor Wang’s edited volume, which I believe serves as the definitive textbook for this course. This volume represents a significant contribution to our understanding of global work dynamics.
The chapters within this book offer invaluable insights into various dimensions of work, from its implications in a global society to the impacts of multicultural diversity, technological advancements, and the effects of climate on work attitudes. Each chapter, meticulously crafted by leading experts, explores critical themes such as the evolution of gender-specific occupations, the interplay between work and societal values, and the challenges posed by immigration and migration. By examining work through these diverse lenses, the book not only addresses historical and contemporary issues but also provides a forward-looking perspective on the future of work in a rapidly changing world.
Dr. Wang's volume stands out not only for its comprehensive coverage but also for its ability to synthesize complex information into accessible and engaging content. This book will undoubtedly become an essential resource for students, educators, and professionals alike, offering a deep understanding of the global workforce's multifaceted nature. I hope that this textbook will inspire further exploration and discussion, fostering a more inclusive and informed approach to understanding work in our interconnected world.
I am delighted to see this volume come to fruition and am confident that it will greatly enhance the learning experience for those studying the global dimensions of work. Dr. Wang and his contributors have provided us with a remarkable tool for navigating the complexities of work in a global society, and I am honored to commend it as a significant academic resource."
Dr. Paul A. Bott
Department Chair/Professor Emeritus of Professional Studies California State University, Long Beach, USA
"In an era of unprecedented global connectivity, the concept of a "global village" has become more relevant than ever. As a distinguished professor of education at Penn State University, USA, I have had the privilege of delivering training on every continent. This international exposure has underscored a critical realization: preparing our students for the global workforce requires cultivating their perceptions of work long before they enter the professional world. With nearly 9 million Americans living abroad and over 45 million foreign-born residents in the United States as of 2021, the diversity of our societies is reshaping the workforce landscape.
The metaphor of the United States as a "tossed salad"—where each ingredient retains its uniqueness—aptly captures the multicultural fabric of our society, contrasting the older "melting pot" concept. This analogy underscores the importance of preserving distinct cultural identities while promoting integration. In our globalized society, students must understand how religion, language, culture, politics, economics, and the environment shape work and workplace perceptions worldwide.
I am thrilled to introduce Work and Society, edited by Dr. Viktor Wang. This comprehensive volume is designed as a definitive textbook for the course Working Around the World. It addresses the intricate and multifaceted nature of work in a global context, filling a significant gap in the literature.
Each chapter of this book provides a valuable perspective on work in modern society. Chapter 1, Work and Its Implications in a Global Society, explores the transformative effects of technology, globalization, and evolving economic landscapes on work across various cultures, shedding light on the complex ethical and social dimensions of work today.
Chapter 2, Multicultural Diversity and Its Implications in the Global Workforce, delves into the importance of fostering diversity in the workplace, highlighting both the challenges and benefits of a multicultural workforce. It outlines strategies to enhance communication and collaboration across cultures to boost innovation and competitiveness.
In Chapter 3, The Cultural and Social Status of Jobs, the author discusses how different societies assign prestige to occupations, analyzing the impact on social mobility and economic inequality. This chapter offers critical insights into promoting equity and respect for all professions in the workplace.
Chapter 4, Working in Modernity: Similarities and Differences between Work and Society in the United States and Other Countries, provides a comparative analysis of work practices in various countries, emphasizing the influence of modernity on global labor markets.
Chapter 5, Work under Democratic Capitalism, Dictatorship, Islamic Fundamentalism, and Socialism, takes a deep dive into how different political and economic systems shape work, labor rights, and social dynamics, highlighting the diverse global perspectives on work.
The Effects of Immigration and Migration on Work, covered in Chapter 6, investigates the complex effects of migration on labor markets and socio-political dynamics in the U.S., Mexico, China, and other countries, offering a comparative lens on how immigration policies shape the workforce.
Chapter 7, The Effects of Climate on People’s Attitudes Toward Work, examines how environmental factors and climate variations impact job satisfaction and performance, proposing strategies for organizations to mitigate these effects.
Chapter 8, Work and the Socio-Economic Structure of Ireland, presents a critical analysis of Ireland's historical and contemporary labor market, highlighting the impact of emigration, economic shifts, and cultural transformations on the workforce.
Chapters 9 and 10 offer fascinating insights into the evolution of gender-specific occupations and the influence of art, music, and religion on workplace practices. These chapters showcase how cultural norms, economic shifts, and creative practices shape workplace dynamics and influence gender roles across various societies.
In Chapter 11, The Nature of Work in Australia and Its Implications, the book examines the unique characteristics of the Australian labor market, focusing on the future of work in the face of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy.
Finally, Chapter 12, Ethical Work Practices, underscores the role of employers in fostering ethical leadership and creating work environments that promote a healthy work ethic, a critical aspect of preparing individuals for the challenges of the 21st-century workforce.
Work and Society is an essential resource for educators, students, and practitioners seeking to understand the complexities of work in our interconnected world. It offers a comprehensive framework for examining the cultural, economic, and social factors that shape the modern workplace and provides the tools necessary for navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."
William Rothwell, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Education Penn State University, USA
Work and Society is the required textbook for Working Around the World, fulfilling the upper-division Social Sciences requirement in general education. It provides students with a strong foundation for entering the global workforce, while graduate students can also use it as an elective for advanced insights into work and society.
The book explores global perspectives on work, focusing on theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Topics include the influence of religion, culture, economics, and political systems on labor practices, as well as the impact of immigration, climate, and gender roles. It also highlights ethical leadership and the integration of art, music, and religion in the workplace.
Designed to foster critical thinking, Work and Society equips readers to address real-world challenges in the global workforce and encourages reflection on the evolving nature of work.
Dr. Viktor Wang, a distinguished Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Technology, is a pioneering figure in the field of Education. With a prolific output of over 240 refereed publications, Dr. Wang has not only advanced scholarly discourse but has also nurtured the academic growth of his peers and students. His leadership has fostered the research endeavors of numerous colleagues, resulting in the contribution of over 200 articles to his journals and 1500 chapters to his books by colleagues and doctoral students alike. Dr. Wang's journals and books, featuring contributions from leading scholars worldwide, are esteemed resources cataloged by prestigious institutions like the JOHN M. PFAU LIBRARY and other renowned university libraries across the globe. Recognized for his exceptional leadership, Dr. Wang was honored with the 2016 Presidential Award for Exceptional and Innovative Leadership by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, in addition to multiple institutional accolades such as the Distinguished Faculty & Scholarly Achievement Award. With a legacy of mentoring and guiding more than 70 dissertation candidates, Dr. Wang continues to shape the future of education through his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.
王维克多博士是教育领导与技术系的杰出教授，也是教育领域的开创性人物。王博士发表了240多篇经同行评审的出版物，不仅推动了学术讨论的进展，还培养了同事和学生的学术成长。在他的领导下，许多同事的研究工作得以推进，他们在他的期刊上发表了超过200篇文章，并在他的书籍中贡献了1500个章节。王博士的期刊和书籍汇集了全球领先学者的贡献，受到了诸如约翰·M·普法图图书馆等著名机构以及全球其他知名大学图书馆的认可。由于其卓越的领导能力，王博士荣获了美国成人与继续教育协会2016年总统奖，表彰其卓越和创新的领导力。此外，他还获得了多项机构荣誉，如杰出教师与学术成就奖。作为一位导师，王博士指导了70多名博士候选人的论文工作，通过对卓越和创新的不懈追求，继续塑造教育的未来。
Dr. Viktor Wang, ein angesehener Professor im Fachbereich Bildungsleitung und -technologie, ist eine führende Figur im Bereich der Bildung. Mit über 240 begutachteten Veröffentlichungen hat Dr. Wang nicht nur den wissenschaftlichen Diskurs vorangetrieben, sondern auch das akademische Wachstum seiner Kollegen und Studierenden gefördert. Unter seiner Führung wurden die Forschungsbestrebungen zahlreicher Kollegen unterstützt, die über 200 Artikel zu seinen Zeitschriften und 1500 Kapitel zu seinen Büchern beigetragen haben. Dr. Wangs Zeitschriften und Bücher, die Beiträge führender Wissenschaftler weltweit enthalten, sind angesehene Ressourcen, die von renommierten Institutionen wie der JOHN M. PFAU BIBLIOTHEK und anderen bekannten Universitätsbibliotheken weltweit katalogisiert werden. Anerkannt für seine außergewöhnliche Führungsqualität, wurde Dr. Wang 2016 mit dem Presidential Award for Exceptional and Innovative Leadership der American Association for Adult and Continuing Education ausgezeichnet, zusätzlich zu mehreren institutionellen Ehrungen wie dem Distinguished Faculty & Scholarly Achievement Award. Mit einer Tradition der Betreuung und Anleitung von über 70 Doktoranden prägt Dr. Wang weiterhin die Zukunft der Bildung durch sein unermüdliches Streben nach Exzellenz und Innovation.
"As the former Department Chair of Professional Studies at California State University, Long Beach, I had the privilege of overseeing the largest Workforce Education department on the West Coast. My tenure involved a critical task: expanding our department's reach, even as we successfully recruited nearly 2,000 adult learners. One of the strategies we employed to increase our Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES) was to develop innovative General Education courses. Among these, "Working Around the World" was one of three new courses I designed to address the evolving needs of our diverse student body.
Despite our efforts, finding a suitable textbook for this course proved challenging. We needed a resource that could comprehensively address the complexities of work in a global context, encompassing diverse cultural, economic, and social perspectives. It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce Dr. Viktor Wang’s edited volume, which I believe serves as the definitive textbook for this course. This volume represents a significant contribution to our understanding of global work dynamics.
The chapters within this book offer invaluable insights into various dimensions of work, from its implications in a global society to the impacts of multicultural diversity, technological advancements, and the effects of climate on work attitudes. Each chapter, meticulously crafted by leading experts, explores critical themes such as the evolution of gender-specific occupations, the interplay between work and societal values, and the challenges posed by immigration and migration. By examining work through these diverse lenses, the book not only addresses historical and contemporary issues but also provides a forward-looking perspective on the future of work in a rapidly changing world.
Dr. Wang's volume stands out not only for its comprehensive coverage but also for its ability to synthesize complex information into accessible and engaging content. This book will undoubtedly become an essential resource for students, educators, and professionals alike, offering a deep understanding of the global workforce's multifaceted nature. I hope that this textbook will inspire further exploration and discussion, fostering a more inclusive and informed approach to understanding work in our interconnected world.
I am delighted to see this volume come to fruition and am confident that it will greatly enhance the learning experience for those studying the global dimensions of work. Dr. Wang and his contributors have provided us with a remarkable tool for navigating the complexities of work in a global society, and I am honored to commend it as a significant academic resource."
Dr. Paul A. Bott
Department Chair/Professor Emeritus of Professional Studies California State University, Long Beach, USA
"In an era of unprecedented global connectivity, the concept of a "global village" has become more relevant than ever. As a distinguished professor of education at Penn State University, USA, I have had the privilege of delivering training on every continent. This international exposure has underscored a critical realization: preparing our students for the global workforce requires cultivating their perceptions of work long before they enter the professional world. With nearly 9 million Americans living abroad and over 45 million foreign-born residents in the United States as of 2021, the diversity of our societies is reshaping the workforce landscape.
The metaphor of the United States as a "tossed salad"—where each ingredient retains its uniqueness—aptly captures the multicultural fabric of our society, contrasting the older "melting pot" concept. This analogy underscores the importance of preserving distinct cultural identities while promoting integration. In our globalized society, students must understand how religion, language, culture, politics, economics, and the environment shape work and workplace perceptions worldwide.
I am thrilled to introduce Work and Society, edited by Dr. Viktor Wang. This comprehensive volume is designed as a definitive textbook for the course Working Around the World. It addresses the intricate and multifaceted nature of work in a global context, filling a significant gap in the literature.
Each chapter of this book provides a valuable perspective on work in modern society. Chapter 1, Work and Its Implications in a Global Society, explores the transformative effects of technology, globalization, and evolving economic landscapes on work across various cultures, shedding light on the complex ethical and social dimensions of work today.
Chapter 2, Multicultural Diversity and Its Implications in the Global Workforce, delves into the importance of fostering diversity in the workplace, highlighting both the challenges and benefits of a multicultural workforce. It outlines strategies to enhance communication and collaboration across cultures to boost innovation and competitiveness.
In Chapter 3, The Cultural and Social Status of Jobs, the author discusses how different societies assign prestige to occupations, analyzing the impact on social mobility and economic inequality. This chapter offers critical insights into promoting equity and respect for all professions in the workplace.
Chapter 4, Working in Modernity: Similarities and Differences between Work and Society in the United States and Other Countries, provides a comparative analysis of work practices in various countries, emphasizing the influence of modernity on global labor markets.
Chapter 5, Work under Democratic Capitalism, Dictatorship, Islamic Fundamentalism, and Socialism, takes a deep dive into how different political and economic systems shape work, labor rights, and social dynamics, highlighting the diverse global perspectives on work.
The Effects of Immigration and Migration on Work, covered in Chapter 6, investigates the complex effects of migration on labor markets and socio-political dynamics in the U.S., Mexico, China, and other countries, offering a comparative lens on how immigration policies shape the workforce.
Chapter 7, The Effects of Climate on People’s Attitudes Toward Work, examines how environmental factors and climate variations impact job satisfaction and performance, proposing strategies for organizations to mitigate these effects.
Chapter 8, Work and the Socio-Economic Structure of Ireland, presents a critical analysis of Ireland's historical and contemporary labor market, highlighting the impact of emigration, economic shifts, and cultural transformations on the workforce.
Chapters 9 and 10 offer fascinating insights into the evolution of gender-specific occupations and the influence of art, music, and religion on workplace practices. These chapters showcase how cultural norms, economic shifts, and creative practices shape workplace dynamics and influence gender roles across various societies.
In Chapter 11, The Nature of Work in Australia and Its Implications, the book examines the unique characteristics of the Australian labor market, focusing on the future of work in the face of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy.
Finally, Chapter 12, Ethical Work Practices, underscores the role of employers in fostering ethical leadership and creating work environments that promote a healthy work ethic, a critical aspect of preparing individuals for the challenges of the 21st-century workforce.
Work and Society is an essential resource for educators, students, and practitioners seeking to understand the complexities of work in our interconnected world. It offers a comprehensive framework for examining the cultural, economic, and social factors that shape the modern workplace and provides the tools necessary for navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."
William Rothwell, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Education Penn State University, USA