Technological progress, organisation of labour, and qualification : an empirical analysis for the manufacturing industry of Lower Saxony

Abstract

"On the basis of establishment data for the manufacturing industry in Lower Saxony this article combines two research approaches which have so far been dealt with separately to a large extent in specialist literature. These are the influence of technological progress on the one hand and of company personnel policy and organisation of labour on the other hand on the qualification-related demand for labour by companies.No indication can be found for the technical state of production plants, process innovations or group work being distorted to the disadvantage of industrial work. In contrast with this there are signs of influences on the qualification structure both in the industrial field and in the clerical field. The technical state of the plant has a positive effect on the proportion of skilled workers, while there is a positive relationship between process innovation and the proportion of graduates. In addition to this enterprises that have modern production plants and implement innovations support further training activities for industrial workers. Group work in the industrial field has no influence on the proportion of skilled workers, but does have an effect on the proportion of graduates and on the further training of industrial workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Gerlach, K. & Jirjahn, U. (1998): Technischer Fortschritt, Arbeitsorganisation und Qualifikation. Eine empirische Analyse für das Verarbeitende Gewerbe Niedersachsens. In: Mitteilungen aus der Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, Vol. 31, No. 3, p. 426-437.