The Consequences of Microelectronics for Employment and the International Division of Labour,
Abstract
In the future microelectronics will be an important factor behind a continued increase in efficiency and production potential. If production increases more rapidly than the increases in efficiency, then the demand for manpower will increase. The major obstacles to increased growth in world production are the difficulties inherent in making structural transformations. The need for transformations and the problems involved in carrying them out can be detected in a low demand for manpower, inflation, and problems with the balance of trade. Microelectronics will increase structural transformations within established production processes and increase the access to products. These changes can expose the people involved to a great deal of stress; many will not be able to maintain their jobs. Seen in isolation, this will result in increased unemployment. On the other hand, microelectronics' capacity to make the service sectors more efficient will decrease the traditional structural changes between the main sectors in the society. Moving manpower within the main sectors, e.g. the secondary sector, probably involves less transformation stress than movements from one sector to another, e.g. from the primary to the tertiary sector. The fact that microelectronics' potential for efficiency improvements will affect most workplaces may decrease the transformation problems for employees.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADP001476
Entities
People
- Oyvind Kvale