The sociology of work and resistance: concepts and cases from the goods movement industry
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
This chapter critically reviews key ideas and concepts used to analyse workers’ resistance, especially those of the power resources approach (PRA), which highlights the variety of resources that workers use to resist their working conditions. While otherwise insightful, many scholars using PRA fail to analyse how workers’ resistance and employers’ strategies for maximising profits and maintaining control interact. To illustrate the strengths and limits of the PRA, we apply key concepts from this approach to analyse and compare across nations how warehouse workers and their communities have organised to resist Amazon, which has quickly become a central battleground of emerging conflicts surrounding algorithmic management. We also call for further research on how new technologies provide both new forms of managerial discipline and new tools and targets of worker resistance. © Editors and Contributors Severally 2025.
Recommended Citation
Reese, Ellen; Walker, Abe; and Wiggin, Teke, "The sociology of work and resistance: concepts and cases from the goods movement industry" (2025). College of Humanities and Social Sciences. 484.
https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/college_humanities_social_sciences/484