@tech4people: very good question; I personal believe the sense of automation is in principal related to the way for allowing humans to do better and simpler their jobs; it is true, we have assisted also to the "replacement" of humans, but I feel it should be also a good point, especially for helping people in avoiding critical and dangerous conditions at work.
As a matter of fact;even in China one sees that Robots are catching on Bigtime as a way to keep costs low especially as Employees Demand and expect Higher Wages.
Its just not as Pronounced as in the West today.
But its a serious policy issue(in My opinion).
What do the people do ,if you automate everything?
Especially those people with Low IQs/Not well educated.
How do you re-train them?Where do you fit them?
This is why I feel Governments need to keep a tight leash on Automation lest it gets totally out of hand.
@tech4: I agree that manufacturing does not equal jobs. I think that is part of the problem in the US. People believe that massive assembly lines will just reappear. It is also true that much manufacturing is automated, so outside of operational jobs the demand for labor just isn't there. China, somewhat to its credit, still employs humans to do a lot of the work. There is the possibility, however, that factories may not keep up with innovation if they continue to do a lot of assembly by hand. I don't have enough insight in China to predict that one...
I don't think I implied that at all. Rather, the people complaining most loudly about China need to back off, or at least pick their battles. Manufacturing Olympic uniforms in the US is a good PR move but it certainly isn't going to change the economy. China's dominance in manufacturing is a given and complaining about it isn't going to chnage anything. That said, this is a good example of how public pressure can influence decisions.
These countries have very little by way of Energy resources so the only way for them to compete in Global markets is to devalue their currencies and so force Inflation down the throats of the General Population there.
However,that sceanario is no now coming to an end as the Workers there are no longer happy with extremely low wages there.If you have to pay them much-much higher wages then their attractiveness as a captive workforce declines which means you will going ahead see a lot more production moving back to the US.
Its there even in China,but China is ahead of the curve here.
I really like it when public pressure does bring about results. Of course, I only like it when it brings about the results I agree with...but I'll take small, incremental victories where I can get 'em.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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