Orientations to work at the Malta Drydocks : a case study

Abstract

The idea for this dissertation originated from a broader sociological study which is currently being carried out by E.L. Zammit, lecturer in the Department of Economics and Social Studies. This is based on a nation-wide survey conducted, under his supervision, during 1975 (by a group of Economics students, and others) which dealt basically with general perspectives within Maltese society, particular attention being given to attitudes towards work and towards power-relationships, perceptions on conflict and change within society, as well as images of the social order. The results of this investigation are presently being analysed. My initial experiences in interviewing people during November 1975, (in connection with the above-mentioned survey) brought home to me a number of startling facts regarding attitudes and mentality of the Maltese man-in-the-street which, I felt, warranted deeper analysis. Consequently, I became interested in the phenomenon of the "working-class subculture" which embodies several dimensions of workers' day-to-day social and individual experiences.