Importance of Studying Sociology in Business

by Aaron Marquis, Demand Media

Sociology teaches business leaders about the importance of workplace diversity. To excel in business, you need more than a solid grasp of math and economics. Business requires an understanding of people -- large populations in particular. Sociology provides the educational background needed for managers to understand their employees and customers. Business leaders that understand sociology are able to anticipate customer needs and respond to employee problems in ways others cannot.

Analytical Process
Studying sociology helps to develop your analytical thinking and capabilities. Sociologists analyze qualitative and quantitative data to determine the effects of phenomena on a population. For instance, a sociologist may discover that a country has an age gap due to an uncontrolled epidemic that affects the country's ability to compete globally. This analytical method of thinking helps those in business with the ability to research market data and eventually draw conclusions from that data.

Handling Employees
A background in sociology gives business leaders and human resource managers an advantage when dealing with employees in the workplace. Sociologists study (and are often aware of) the cultural and social aspects that shape an individual. With this background, those in business can avoid alienating employees or hurting company loyalty. For example, the company may have a large number of employees that practice a particular religion. If this religion states that its followers must observe a sabbath on weekends, you cannot reasonably ask those employees to work on weekends, based on your background in sociology.

Market Opportunities
Sociologists understand that certain phenomena create conditions that influence groups of people. For example, if birth rates drop within a country, that country's population will eventually "age" and require increased services for the elderly. Those in business with sociology backgrounds can identify such factors and the opportunities created within a population. For instance, a business leader can look at a country that was previously ravaged by war or disease and know that its people require basic infrastructure offerings and access to education and medical facilities. If your company specializes in medical supplies, this is an opportunity; if your company sells luxury vehicles, you would look elsewhere and identify a population that requires your services.

Public Relations
Sociology is fundamental to the public relations department of any major company. A PR person's background in sociology tells her that certain actions by the company will affect its customers based on their cultural and economic backgrounds. For example, if your company conducts business in another part of the world, your PR person must know the history of that area to tailor the message and image of the company. The PR person, for instance, would not create a press release that stresses the independent nature of the company in a culture that places a large focus on family.