Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to study the following ideas a) the
characteristics of job alienation; and b) the relationship between the job alienation and
the labor process in which capitalism, patriarchy and professional domination are
prevalent. Qualitative research methodology was used in this study. In-depth
interviews and participant observation were used with fifteen nurses who felt alienated
in their work environment at one private for- profit hospital in Bangkok. The study
period was 8 months.
The results indicated that nurses who were working in this private forprofit
hospital had four characteristics of job alienation: 1) alienation from the product
of their work , i.e. patient improvement ,as a physicians and hospital owners often get
most of the credit; 2) alienation from activity of their work, i.e. the creating product
absolutely controlled by organizational administration; 3) alienation from their
colleagues as there was often an atmosphere of competition; 4) alienation from their
human potential due to a lack of opportunity to express their individuality on many
levels including their ideas ,emotions and even their basic needs.
There was a certain exploitation of the nurses as well. The physical
workload was increase were the working hour, yet there was a not commensurate
increase in salary. Instead, the people that profited were the owner. This is an example
of capitalist exploitation.
Secondly, hospital regulations dictate that nurses need to look beautiful:
thus, nurses have to always wear make-up, dress well and act as a lady according to
the standards of Thai society. This is on example of patriarchal oppression.
Thirdly, there is another issue of professional dominance. Physicians
tend to undermine nurses decisions, which is a way of questioning nurses knowledge
and authority