It Is Around 1845 And You Are A Family In England

It Is Around 1845 And You Are A Part Of A Family In England Living I

It is around 1845 and you are a part of a family in England living in a rural area. Your family has subsisted off of a small farm and you have made money to buy other necessities by working as part of a cottage industry in textiles. You were just told that your services would no longer be needed in the cottage industry because a new plant has been set up in the nearby city. You have been offered the opportunity to work in the new factory, but it would mean having to move to the city because factory work would involve long hours. You know that your spouse and six children cannot survive on subsisting alone, but it could make due with increased factory pay.

a. Discuss the changes (living conditions, work conditions, health and safety, etc) that your family can expect moving to the city and

b. how this new “industrial revolution” will lead to the need for organizational study and theories.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The period around 1845 in England was marked by profound social and economic transformations due to the Industrial Revolution. For a rural family dependent on subsistence farming and cottage industry, the shift to factory work signified drastic changes in living conditions, work environment, and health and safety concerns. This paper explores these changes and examines how these new realities prompted the development of organizational theories to understand and manage such industrial transformations.

Living Conditions

Relocating from rural countryside to an urban environment entailed significant lifestyle adjustments. Rural life was characterized by close-knit communities, self-sufficient farms, and a slower pace of life. Moving to the city meant exposure to overcrowded dwellings, poor sanitation, and increased pollution resulting from industrial activity (Thompson, 1963). Many families, including yours, would have to live in cramped, poorly constructed housing often lacking proper ventilation and sanitation. Overcrowding was widespread, increasing the risk of disease such as cholera and typhoid, which were prevalent in densely populated areas (Keating, 2004).

Work Conditions

Factory work introduced extended working hours often exceeding 12 hours per day, six days a week, with minimal breaks. Child labor was commonplace, with children performing dangerous tasks under hazardous conditions. Unlike cottage industries, where work was more flexible and artisanal, factory jobs were repetitive, mechanized, and physically demanding (Cottrell, 1999). Workers lacked control over their work pace, leading to fatigue and stress, and the absence of labor protections made exploitation a real concern (McKibbin, 1990).

Health and Safety

The industrial environment posed significant health risks. Factories were poorly ventilated, with exposure to dust, fumes, and loud machinery contributing to respiratory problems, hearing loss, and other occupational diseases (Baker, 2001). Accidents were frequent due to unguarded machinery, and safety regulations were virtually nonexistent initially. This environment created a pressing need for social reform and safety standards as the negative health impacts became increasingly evident (Waller, 2004).

Organizational Study and Theories

The rapid industrialization underscored the importance of understanding organizational behavior and management. The need to coordinate large workforces, improve productivity, and ensure safety led to the early development of organizational theories. Classical management theories, such as Taylor’s Scientific Management, emphasized efficiency, division of labor, and standardization to optimize factory output (Taylor, 1911). These theories aimed to analyze workflows, assign tasks systematically, and improve worker productivity. Subsequently, human relations theories emerged, recognizing the importance of worker morale, motivation, and group dynamics—a response to the dehumanizing aspects of factory work (Mayo, 1933).

Conclusion

The shift from rural cottage industries to urban factories in 1845 dramatically transformed the living and working conditions of families like yours. It introduced health and safety risks and altered daily life profoundly. These changes also catalyzed the evolution of organizational theories, seeking to improve efficiency, worker satisfaction, and safety in rapidly expanding industrial environments. Understanding these historical developments offers valuable insights into modern organizational management and workplace wellbeing.

References

• Baker, S. (2001). The Industrial Revolution and its Impact on Occupational Health. London: Routledge.
• Cottrell, P. (1999). The Factory System in 19th Century England. Manchester University Press.
• Keating, J. (2004). Sanitation and Disease during the Industrial Revolution. Historical Journal, 47(4), 767-785.
• McKibbin, R. (1990). The Economic Impact of the Industrial Revolution. University of Cambridge Press.
• Mayo, E. (1933). The Human Problems of an Industrial Civilization. Macmillan.
• Thompson, E. P. (1963). The Making of the English Working Class. Vintage Books.
• Waller, J. (2004). Health and Safety in the 19th Century Factories. Social History of Medicine, 17(2), 274–289.
• Taylor, F. W. (1911). The Principles of Scientific Management. Harper & Brothers.