Dear Marcelo,
there are many links between the scientific discipline sociology and the topic "values". So there are many concepts, which deal with values. I try to give an insight for you:
At first, a definition of sociology: The scientific discipline sociology deals with all aspects and forms of cohabitation or living together in human communities or societies. Researchers of this discipline explore on the one side sense/meaning and structures of social activities (sociological theories of action), on the other side values and norms, which guide human actions.
Objects of research are social systems, institutions, organisations, groups, communities and the society. Finally the scientific disciplin sociology deals with social processes of integration / desintegration, social inequalities, social conflicts and social change; the last factor includes changes in society's values.
But if exploring social systems, institutions, organisations, groups, communities or the society, one basic question consists of asking after the action-guiding values. You can find concepts, which deal with values of social systems, institutions, organisations, groups, communities or societies, if you look at the concepts of organisational sociology, work sociology, institutional sociology, milieu sociology or changes in society's values.In my opinion, there's the basic problem, that many sociological concepts deal with values, but the topic value is just a part of the theory. Sometimes you find the topic value as part of cultural studies. In this context values are discussed as part of organisational culture, institutional culture, community culture or societal culture. (In my opinion, this is logically consistent, because you can conceptualize cultural studies as a part of sociology.)
Secondly, a definition of value: Values represent desirable, eligible or preferable ideas, opinions, convictions or beliefs, that are to be found in the society. Values represent social statements of what is to be considered good or bad. We get orientation possibilities with the support of values, but also with the support of cultural, religious, ethical or societal concepts, models or representations. So, from this point of view, values have got an ethical meaning and (can) guide human actions.
Thirdly, a few publications / links for your insight:
Parsons, T. et al. (2001): Toward a General Theory of Action: Theoretical Foundations for the Social Sciences (Social Science Classics Series), Transaction Publishers.
Münch, R. (1988): Theory of Action: Towards a New Synthesis Going Beyond Parsons (International Library of Sociology), Publisher: Routledge Kegan & Paul.
Habermas, J. (1986): The Theory of Communicative Action: Reason and the Rationalization of Society, Volume 1, Publisher Polity Press.
Miebach, B. (2014): Soziologische Handlungstheorie. Eine Einführung. Publisher: Springer VS-Verlag. (German-speaking)
Joas, H. (2001): The Genesis of Values. Publisher: Univ of Chicago Press.
Joas, H. (2002): War and Modernity: Studies in the History of Violence in the 20th Century. Publisher: Polity Press.
Inglehart, R. ( 1977): The Silent Revolution: Changing Values and Political Styles among Western Publics. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Inglehart, R. (1990): Culture Shift in Advanced Industrial Society. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Inglehart, R.; Abramson, P. (1999): “Measuring Postmaterialism”. The American Political Science Review 93 (3): 665-677.
Inglehart, R. et al. (2004): Human Beliefs and Values: a cross-cultural sourcebook based on the 1999-2002 values surveys, Mexico City: Siglo XXI.
Inglehart, R.; Welzel, C. (2005): Modernization, Cultural Change, and Democracy. The Human Development Sequence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Annotation: This is a selection of publications. I assume, you can anticipate, that there are many more publications. I hope, that my statement contains useful hints for you.
Good luck with your research projects and kind regards, Detlef
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