Perception of work context exploratory study of low-qualified operators

• Author: Pignault, A.
• Position: Department of Psychology, EA 443, University of Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense, France
• Pages: 73-84

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 4 (53) No. 2 - 2011

PERCEPTION OF WORK CONTEXT

EXPLORATORY STUDY OF LOW-

QUALIFIED OPERATORS

Anne PIGNAULT1

Abstract: Many authors have emphasized the situated and distinctive

character of action. The work context is often describe d as a resource or a

constraint for action. However, few studies have examined the contextual

elements that serve as a resource or a constr aint in any given group. We

believe that the individual’s perception of the context needs to be taken into

consideration when examining experience and work integration. In order to

identify these contextual elements, we conducted semi-directive interviews

with 69 workers. Content analysis revealed that when most participants were

asked about their job, they answered in terms of the context a nd used

contextual elements to describe it.

Key words: work context, perception, work experience, occupational

interests.

1Department of Psychology, EA 443, University of Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense, France.

1. Introduction

The concept of ‘situated action’,

introduced by Suchman in 1987 [34], has

had a powerful influence on the way in

which researchers in the human and social

sciences have come to conceive and

consider action, notably in the analysis of

work situations. Subsequently, a large

number of authors in various disciplines

including ergonomic psychology [18-19],

sociology and cognitive anthropology [36]

have stressed the importance of local

circumstances and context in carrying out

an activity. Furthermore, several studies

[15], [21], [35] have highlighted the fact

that action is always carried out within a

particular context which facilitates or

restricts, or even prevents the person from

implementing and carrying out the activity.

In spite of these findings, actions to

facilitate access to the labour market are

generally based on analysing and assessing

the person’s skills, and rarely on the work

context and conditions for carrying out

tasks, although these involve a real

learning process and often determine how

well the work activity is carried out. Based

on the work of Pignault and Loarer [27],

[29], which showed the importance of the

notion of context when planning

professional career-building programmes,

we believe that analysing and taking into

account the context allows a better

understanding of job experience and how it

can be transferred. This is particularly true

for the so-called low-qualified workers for

whom mastery of contextual elements is