Management of organizational status: a case study of the supervisor in a textile mills

Abstract

This is an attempt to understand the changes in the so cial status of the first-line supervisor (mistri) in a textile mill and a chain of social and organizational responses generated by these changes among the top management and middle management as well as the supervisors them selves. Until 1964, the mistris enjoyed higher status and prestige than those of workers and. in a significant way, identified themselves with the management. Then the management introduced some modern managerial practices and reorganized the loom-shed. This led to down ward trend in the supervisor's status and authority. The management tried to restore the falling status and authority, but met with little success. In the back ground of this story, the author brings out the ambiva lence and confusion prevailing among the management regarding the supervisor's status. He argues that the attempt to change the supervisor's status failed because it was incompatible with the technological system of the mill. Clarity of role in the work-organization may help in achieving clarity of status in the social system of organization.