Introduction Of New Production Technologies Research Articles

Economy 4.0: employment effects by occupation, industry, and gender

The aim of this study is to investigate how the diffusion of the new digital technologies (Economy 4.0-technologies) affects the magnitude and composition of employment in Austria. For this purpose, an input–output framework is adopted taking into account direct as well as indirect effects of the new technologies by industry, occupation and gender. These employment effects are estimated as the difference between a base economy (as represented by a recent Austrian input–output table) and an economy after a 10-year transformation period with the introduction of new production technologies and development of new products for final demand. Based on substitution potentials estimated on detailed occupational level available from previous research, we model the changes in labour productivity. Combining two different scenarios of labour productivity change with two different assumptions about collective wage bargaining outcomes gives us four possible scenarios of macroeconomic paths of Economy 4.0. The results show that due to Economy 4.0 during the next 10 years job displacement will probably be greater than job creation and aggregate employment will decline by 0.80–4.81% relative to total present employment. Furthermore, the results indicate that occupations gaining in employment are highly skilled while the occupations losing in employment are medium-skilled. Also, female workers are adversely affected in terms of employment.

The impact of digitalization on work quality at the enterprise operational level

The object of research is the work quality of operational staff. One of the most problematic places in the introduction of new production technologies is the adaptation of personnel to digital transformation. Understanding and systematic management actions of managers can lead the company to business growth, make it more flexible through the proper use of digitalization as a potentially important component of business strategy.Methods of logical generalization and analysis are used in the analysis of literature sources on the research topic. The work quality at the enterprise operational level was considered in two dimensions: the quality of work results and the quality of working life. During the sociological study at machine-building enterprises is developed a conceptual model of the interaction between work tasks, methods of labor organization and technological tools. According to the expert potential consequences assessment of the impact of digitalization on the operational staff work quality, the highest scores are given to the following factors: work intensity; content of work tasks; control over work; learning; motivation and work life balance; health; rights; career management. The Analytical Hierarchy Process, which allows to determine the components of the adaptation system of personnel to digital information and to form an algorithm for choosing the optimal version of the system for the enterprise, is also used.The results of the presented study confirm the insufficient level of workers and industrial engineers readiness to implement changes related to the use of digital tools. The results provide a practical basis for the enterprises management to form a hierarchical structure of employee adaptation system to digital transformation. Presented system will be the projects framework for production technologies modernization, labor processes improving, staff training and the successful implementation procuring of digital transformation based on the model of interaction between work tasks, methods and technological tools at the operational level of the enterprise.

Innovative activity as a determinant of competitiveness of industrial enterprise

The article deals with the dependence of the competitiveness of industrial enterprises on the level of innovation activity. The essence and main characteristics of the competitive advantages of the enterprise from the point of view of innovative activity in the course of innovative activity are highlighted. One of the factors that can increase the competitiveness of business is the active use of innovative production technologies, which will ensure a continuous improvement of scientific, technical, industrial, financial and social activities in the context of changes in the institutional environment. The results of analytical research of priority sectors of Ukrainian economy from the point of view of innovative activity are presented. With the transition of the economy to the next technological institution, it is worth talking about the change of priority industries in the structure of industry - from low-processing with low added value to innovative high-tech and high-margin. As the first Ukrainian Business Innovation Index showed, only some companies are ready to invest in innovation and have a strategic vision. According to research, most companies are still not ready and do not plan to make fundamental changes in their business models in the near future. Innovation is limited to the introduction of new production technologies, automation of tasks, training of staff new skills, changing approach to marketing and communications. The necessity of systematic support of innovative activity is substantiated, the basic directions of optimization of structure of economy of Ukraine are allocated. The European vector of Ukraine gives a good chance to digitize the processes. In particular, for state-owned companies in areas such as energy and oil and gas, the prospect of digitalization has become the prospect of entering the European Union. However, without major changes to the regulatory system, government priorities, and extensive government-business cooperation, no real major changes can be expected. The issue is not only in the tax field or subsidization, but also in education, digital skills of the population. The necessity of updating the issue of development of high-tech sectors of the economy has been proved, which will increase the competitiveness of industrial enterprises. Given the trends identified, it is appropriate to emphasize the need to take concrete actions to change the structure of the economy, to increase exports of high-tech products, the creation of export-credit agencies, industrial parks.

The impact of new production technology on employee productivity in the South African workplace

Orientation: This study is part of an ongoing research project on various aspects of employee productivity in the South African workplace. Research purpose: The aim of this article was to determine the firm-based employee productivity impacts because of the acquisition and introduction of new production technologies in the South African workplace. Motivation for the study: The study focusses on understanding the impact of various components of new production technology on employee productivity for different age groups and skill levels. Research approach/design and method: The study adopts two distinct estimation processes. The aim of the first set of estimations was to construct a technology index. Secondly, fixed-panel data estimations determine the percentage change in employee productivity based on technology-to-employee ratio, technology index, different technology components, different age groups and different skill levels. The manufacturing industry of Gauteng is the focus of this case study. Main findings: Estimation results indicate, in general, positive employee productivity effects, superior employee productivity gains for the 35- to 55-year employee age group and greater employee productivity gains for the lower-skilled employee segment. Practical/managerial implications: The estimation rankings of new production technology for the improvement of employee productivity, are of the utmost importance when deciding on the acquisition and introduction of different kinds of new production technologies in the workplace. Contribution/value-add: The study contributes to our understanding on how the acquisition of new production technologies could affect employee productivity at the workplace.

Theoretical principles of personnel management construction enterprises

Human Resources Management (HRM), managing work and people to achieve their desired goals, is a fundamental activity of any enterprise or organization that employs people. HRM is the basis for their creation and development. There are a number of different HRM styles, ideologies, forms, and methods, but there are no universal models that can improve performance for each enterprise or enhance their relative effectiveness in specific strategic areas, such as the introduction of new production technologies, the use of advertising campaigns. or the purchase of real estate. However, it is impossible to question the necessity of the personnel management process itself, that is, rational attempts to organize work and manage people. The purpose of the paper is to outline the theoretical foundations of personnel management of construction enterprises. Over the last twenty years, the relationship between HRM and strategic management studies has deepened, significantly widening the socio-economic range and possible cause and effect. Getting acquainted with the scientific works of the founders on this subject allows us to distinguish three main areas: 1. Micro HRM - covers the subheadings of HR policies and practices that can be grouped into two main categories. 2. Strategic HRM deals with systemic issues and issues that have serious implications for the enterprise. 3. International HRM - less involved in the context of strategic human resource management, focused on HR management in multinational companies. In the construction field, the HRM is mainly focused on the adequate provision of projects with human resources with relevant experience, professional characteristics and the right skillsets for their successful implementation. Personnel managers should have the ability to identify and document project roles and responsibilities, developing planning with a detailed description of the intermediate processes required to complete the project (or projects) and identify its human resource needs. Construction, due to its specificity and versatility, is one of the most difficult areas for managing people. The operational realities faced by construction companies confirm the risks associated with the close relationship between employee needs and performance issues.

Technical rationing of the construction technology of reinforced concrete floor slabs using non-removable void formers

Technically sound standards of time and production standards are designed to improve production efficiency, technical and economic indicators of construction enterprises, timely commissioning of buildings and structures being erected, as well as ensuring the proper organization of workers' wages. Labor standards are used in determining the need for construction machinery and equipment, the required number of workers, and also serve as the basis for the development of network and calendar schedules that are part of the project of construction organization (PCO) and the project of construction production (PCP). Standards of time and standards for the production of most of the construction work are contained in the collections of common norms and rates and state elemental estimated norms. However, in the conditions of continuous development and introduction of new production technologies, there is a need to update and refine the existing technical regulation database. Standards of time, corresponding to the modern level of technical development and reflecting the advanced experience of workers, allow to make the right choice when analyzing the most economical ways of producing work. Definition and removal of production standards is to determine the weighted average number of working hours to perform a particular technological operation, while taking into account the conditions of production of this workflow, the numerical and qualification composition of workers.

The influence of modern technologies on the selected determinants of tourism and recreation development

The 21st century, especially its second decade, is a period of very dynamically developing science and technology, which is particularly manifested in many discoveries and inventions. The development of medical sciences, biotechnology, cybernetics, and computer science are making important progress. Industrial robots and other machines carry out programmed work by specialists faster, more precisely and economically than workers. Currently, there is no problem with smartphones to book a plane ticket, accommodation in a hotel, order a taxi or set the shortest route to the holiday destination. Unfortunately, adverse effects of technological progress are also observed, e.g. loss of workplaces caused by the introduction of new production technologies, loosening of social bonds, loneliness and depression of the individual, etc. The aim of the conducted research was to get to know the respondents’ opinions on selected problems related to modern technology in meeting the needs in the field of tourism and recreation and the impact of modern technology on the tourist labor market. The research group was narrowed down to students studying at the Faculty of Physical Education and Health Promotion of the University. Its participants were first- and second-cycle students  a total of 211 people aged 18 to 25 (58 women and 153 men). According to our research, the 92.16% of the respondents use the services available via the Internet, for example for shopping. The 85.29% of the respondents are not afraid of the risk of losing their job to modern technologies. Our research presented in this article shows that the vast majority of the respondents perceive the negative impact of the development of modern technologies on the labor market related to tourism and recreation. In order to stay on such a labor market, employees should constantly acquire new qualifications and be ready for a change of their job at multiple times during their careers.

ПУТИ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ФИНАНСОВЫХ РЕСУРСОВ АПК СЕВЕРНОГО РЕГИОНА

Formulation of the problem. The article deals with the actual problem of improving the efficiency of financial resources of the agro-industrial complex of the Komi Republic. The aim of the research is an attempt to solve certain conceptual and practical tasks that can ensure the efficient use of financial resources of the agro-industrial complex of the Komi Republic. The object of the research is the direction of increasing the efficiency of using financial resources of the agro-industrial complex of the northern region. The methods used of the research: methods of systematization and generalization, the comparative method, methods of induction and deduction. The hypothesis of the research.An important task is the development of appropriate principles to ensure the transition to an intensive investment path of development - the replacement of machinery and equipment, the introduction of new production technologies, increased technological competition, and increased demand for intellectual property. The statement of basic materials. Сonceptual aspects of financial relations contain a variety of scientifically based principles, features and phenomena. Numerous search options for various options (ways) to improve the efficiency of financial resources of the regional agro-industrial complex show that systematic underfunding of spheres and enterprises does not correspond to the efficient movement of these resources. Originality and practical significance of the research. The main way to improve the efficiency of financial resources of the agro-industrial complex of the region is to build an optimal system of their management. The creation of this system will allow more correctly classify the resources used and evaluate their circulation and turnover in the production processes; improve management efficiency and ensure transparency of business activity of enterprises; exercise effective control over monetary, material, labor and land resources. Conclusions of the research. The analysis of financial relations and financial resources of the agro-industrial complex more reliably characterize the financial condition of agro-industrial enterprises, assess their stability and stability. The transparency of this analysis depends not only on financial results, but also on industrial and commercial activities. Based on the analysis of the theoretical and methodological foundations of finance and financial resources of the agroindustrial complex, it was determined that this problem is multifunctional, systemic in nature.

МОДЕЛИ ХОЗЯЙСТВЕННОГО РАЗВИТИЯ ПОМЕЩИЧЬИХ ИМЕНИЙ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНО-ЧЕРНОЗЕМНОГО РЕГИОНА В КОНЦЕ XIX - НАЧАЛЕ ХХ ВЕКА

We examine the peculiarities of the economic activity of landlords in the late 19th and early 20th century. The origins of conservative approaches to the development of private estates are analyzed, the reasons that led some nobles to proceed to successful management are revealed. The urgency of work is determined by the importance of studying the most optimal forms of socio-economic modernization of the post-reform agricultural sector. An analysis of the published sources shows that the majority of owners turned to traditional methods of economic activity. A promising area was the transfer of land in rent. Evaluating the advantages of city life, they completely broke ties with rural life and moved to the cities. Only a small, economically active stratum of landowners, under new conditions, could create self-sufficient capitalist farms. They modernized the estates that belonged to them, introduced into the practice of administration progressive management methods, rationally using available economic resources. Analyzing the sources of rationalization of exemplary estates, we turned to the memoirs of A.A. Fet, A.N. Engelhardt, S.F. Sharapov. The success of modernization of estates, in their opinion, was associated with attention to specific aspects of the farms economy, the introduction of new production technologies, administrative activities rationalization.

Small Farmers and Market Economy: A Case Study of Dagomba in Northern Ghana

Ghana is characterized by obvious economic disparities between northern and southern Ghana. In this paper, we analyze these disparities and economic growth by examining the current farming structure with reference to land use patterns and farming practices and linkages with the market economy. Using data collected through household surveys from 2004 to 2015 in the Dagomba area, gathered from five compounds of 12 to 14 farmers each, the study concludes that the position of agriculture as a source of income in rural areas has declined rapidly, indicating a potential de-agrarianization in rural Ghana. Nonetheless, in northern Ghana, which is resource-poor, agriculture is still seen as an important income source. Because of the unfavorable position of agriculture in the Ghanaian context, outmigration is occurring from rural to urban areas, especially by male family members, resulting in significant change in household composition (more elderly household heads). Changes in family composition and decreased farm sizes have an important implication for food security and livelihoods of Ghanaian families. All these adversities suggest the need to craft farming systems that encourage increased food production through the introduction of new production technology and crop diversification.

Determinants of Performance of Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) Projects in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, South Africa

KEYWORDS Land Reform. Demographic. Beneficiaries. Socio-economic. Sub-programme ABSTRACT The fundamental objective of this study was to analyse the effects of socio-economic factors on the performance of Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) projects in the Ngaka Modiri Molema district of the North-West Province. Random sampling technique was used to select 47 projects with 244 beneficiaries under LRAD sub-programme. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on the data collected using a structured questionnaire. The Tobit model was fitted to the data to analyse the effects of the socio -economic factors on the projects' performance. Sixteen explanatory variables found to be statistically significant included: years of project operation (+NYR: p<0.05); number of project beneficiaries (-NBNOW: p<0.10); number of project beneficiaries with less than matric education (+EDLM: p<0.05); number of project beneficiari es with matric level of education (+EDM: p<0.05); number of project beneficiaries with tertiary level of education (+EDT: p<0.10); number of beneficiaries employed outside the project (-NBEBP: p<0.10); availability of proj ect business plan (+AVBP: p<0.05); average number of trainings attended by project beneficiaries (+AVTR: p<0.05); number of conflicts per project (-NCONF: p<0.001); adoption of new technologies by the projects (+ADTECH: p<0. 05); proportion of women with children per project (+PROW: p<0.05); households of beneficiaries' food security status (+HHFSD: p<0.05); net farm income of project (+NFI: p<0.001); project savings (+SAVINGS: p<0.001); farm records keeping (+FRK: p<0.05); and number of established relevant linkages of projects (+LINKAGES: p<0.05). Policy decisions to improve the performance of the LRAD projects in the study area should focus on: improvement of education and skills training of the beneficiaries; introduction of new production technologies; encouragement of savings culture among the beneficiaries; and establishment of relevant linkages for the projects in the study area.

The Swiss video journalist

Using the case of Swiss video journalists as an example this article examines how the structure-agency problem is reflected in the professional practice of contemporary news production. The trend in journalism and in news work in general is reportedly towards declining autonomy and increasing workplace alienation, hastened by the introduction of new production technologies. Evidence from a study of Swiss video journalists suggests that the impact of such change may not have the anticipated, wholly negative, consequences for news workers. The article concludes by suggesting that while it is difficult to see video journalists as skilled strategists contesting control in the increasingly market-oriented environment, neither can they be readily characterized as victims of commercialism enjoying little workplace autonomy. These extremes may exist among journalists as a whole, but the evidence indicates that professional practice in the world of the video journalist is the product of both the structure of their employment and their individual agency.

Regional application of a cropping systems simulation model: crop residue retention in maize production systems of Jalisco, Mexico

To ensure the productivity of smallholder maize production systems in Central America, increased attention must be paid to conserving soil and water resources. Various stakeholders from national agricultural research services (NARS), networks, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and research institutes seek to develop and target productivity enhancing resource conserving management practices such as crop residue retention systems. To support this process, a methodology with explicit spatial and temporal dimensions using the DSSAT crop simulation models was developed and applied to the case study of residue retention in maize production systems of Jalisco, Mexico. Systems where crop residues were partially or totally retained were compared with systems with no residue retention. Variables considered included crop production, soil surface runoff water, soil organic carbon and soil organic nitrogen content. Gridded climate surfaces and a range of soil profile scenarios formed the basis of the regional input. Three levels of nitrogen application (0, 150 and 235 kg ha −1) were selected to represent current agronomic practices. Simulation models for maize and fallow were run in sequence for 12 consecutive years. Results demonstrated that soil water holding capacity and topography affected benefits of residue retention much more than nitrogen management. Benefits to maize production from residue retention were found mainly in areas in the northeast of Jalisco and surrounding regions, where low precipitation limits maize production. Reductions in soil surface runoff due to residue retention were most evident in high rainfall areas in the central-east of Jalisco and surrounding regions. Although the effect of soil loss is not accounted for in DSSAT, areas of pronounced soil surface runoff reduction are hypothesized to be areas of productivity gain in the longer term. The assessment provided insight in the regional potential for and the soil and climate conditions under which successful introduction of residue retention in maize cropping systems in Jalisco may be achieved. In combination with socio-economic assessment studies and experimental work, the approach and its results contribute to targeted introduction of new production technologies.

Employment Practices and Semiconductor Manufacturing Performance

This article analyzes the factors contributing to superior manufacturing performance in the semiconductor industry. Through an analysis of firm‐level data from the United States, Asia, and Europe, we explore the relationship between firm performance along quality and quantity dimensions and three components of the employment system: skill development, employee participation in problem solving, and employee collaboration. We find that manufacturing success is related to the introduction of new production technology and the involvement of all occupations in problem solving under the leadership of engineers, who play a key (and growing) role in this high‐tech industry. We find that the operators and technicians play a smaller role in creating high‐performing semiconductor factories than has been found in studies of more traditional factories, such as automobiles and steel.

Public Policies, Social Institutions, and Earnings Inequality: Canada and the United States, 1970–1995

Economists now agree that, since the early 1970s, there has been an unprecedented surge in income inequality and a polarization of earnings in the United States. Although employment growth in the United States has been strong over the past twenty years, especially when contrasted with Europe, virtually all U.S. studies conclude that the low-wage share of total employment has expanded since the 1970s, even among workers who work year-round and full-time, and there has been a polarization of earnings: more high- and low-wage jobs, and a shrinking middle class. A key indicator of living standards, real wages, has fallen since 1973. The Canadian labor market has evolved somewhat differently since the early 1970s. As has been the case in the United States, real wages in Canada have declined since the mid-1970s, particularly for male workers. Employment growth in Canada, while not quite as robust as in the United States since the 1970s, has exceeded Europe's, although Canada's underlying unemployment rate by the mid-1990s more resembled Europe's than that of the United States. Earnings polarization in Canada, however, has not been nearly as pronounced as it has been in the United States. In fact, there was a marked decline in the low-wage component of the wage structure in Canada's largest provinces during the 1970s, and for Canada as a whole the earnings distribution has been relatively stable since 1980. A comparative analysis of wage trends in Canada and the United States offers an excellent natural laboratory in which to explore the relative influence of factors such as economic restructuring or differing labor market institutions on inequality and overall living standards. Canada and the United States inhabit geographically proximate, increasingly interconnected economic space, with similar industrial and occupational structures and labor force characteristics. Thus we might plausibly expect similar impacts of trends such as global economic integration, deindustrialization, the shift to a service economy, corporate downsizing, and the introduction of new production technologies on the structure of earnings (Card and Freeman 1993a). Yet through the mid-1990s, the wage structure in Canada has remained markedly less polarized than in the United States, leading some to attribute this variation to differences in Canadian and U.S. public policies and labor market institutions (Card and Freeman 1993; Levine 1995). Compared to the United States, Canadian labor markets have historically featured a more generous array of income maintenance programs and other worker benefits, higher rates of unionization, and higher minimum wages. To what extent have these differences permitted Canada to avoid the wage polarization experienced in the United States since the 1970s? On the other hand, has a cost for Canada of these policies and institutions been a version of what some call Eurosclerosis: persistently high unemployment caused by untenably high wages and costly social programs that undercut the competitiveness of firms and limit their ability to hire workers? In short, does the U.S.-Canada comparison reveal, as some claim U.S.-Europe comparisons do, a modern economic tradeoff in which rising inequality and wage disparities are unavoidable prices to be paid for job creation in a competitive, global economy (OECD 1994)? Finally, in the wake of the growing Americanization of Canadian public policy and greater U.S.-Canada trade linkages since the late 1980s, are there signs that U.S.-style wage disparities have begun to surface in Canada? This article is divided into four sections. The first two present evidence on inequality and wage polarization in the United States and Canada since the early 1970s. In section three, I examine more closely differences in public policies and labor market institutions in the two countries that may account for variations in patterns of earnings polarization. Finally, I conclude with a discussion of the policy implications of the U. …

A new form of Jensen's inequality and its application to statistical experiments

AbstractJensen's inequality for the expectation of a convex function of a random variable is proved for a wide class of convex functions defined on a space of probability measures. The result is applied to statistical experiments using the concept of Blackwell-sufficiency. In particular, we show a monotonicity result for the expected information of Poisson-experiments. As an application to economics we consider the introduction of new production technologies.

Simulating alternative organizational structures of production systems

Abstract Changes in international competition lead to changes of the requirements on production enterprises. The introduction of new production technologies does not seem to be exclusively an adequate reaction to the increasing problems. Therefore tools of computer-integrated production lCIMr and new organizational concepts have to be conceived. Because these organizational and technical means are linked on the one hand with severe changes in the production system and, on the other hand, with rather higher economic risks in their realization, the effects have to be estimated in advance in the planning stage. Consideration of dynamical system behaviour plays an important part because the main goal is the improvement of order processing. This paper presents a simulation program, which can be used during the design phase of the organizational structure of production systems as a powerful tool for predicting the effects of new computer-aided tools and structures.

The Impact of Plant Modernization on Organizational Work Practices

Employee survey data from a single Canadian firm are examined to determine the extent to which various work practices and job dimensions have been transformed as a consequence of the introduction of new production technologies. The modernization resulted in the creation of new jobs, while many previous tasks were either made redundant or altered. Although supervisor-worker consultation and planning were minimal throughout the modernization process, the results provide no evidence to suggest that deskilling had occurred.

Technological Change, Decision Making and its Effects on Work in the Dutch Printing Industry

Governmental policies on technological innovation are mostly concerned with technology itself and how it can propell new economic growth. This means that other factors tend to be neglected like the introduction of new production technology in the organization.The results of various studies suggest quite strongly that the introduction of new production technology especially in small and medium sized firms can generate poblems which hamper an effective use of it and at the same time increase societal costs like extra unemployment, less quality of work and insufficient education and training.Unplanned organizational effects, which are not directly observable after the introduction are the main cause for these Problems. In order to improve the situation it is necessary to change the decision-making process in the firm. Management-traning on decision-making, participation of the workers, co-operation between firms and government supported projects to supply the firm with expert-advice are important tools in order to reach this goal.

Technological Change and Functional Income Distribution Effects in Indian Agriculture: An Econometric Analysis

With the introduction of new production technology into the wheat farming sector in Indian agriculture, a considerable increase in output per acre (about 40 percent in the Ferozepur district of Punjab) has been recorded. This 'new found' growth in Indian agriculture has given rise to two important basic issues in the area of development economics. What are the sources of this 'new found' growth in output? What are the effects of this new production technology on employment and income distribution? . These questions are consistent with shifting emphasis from the narrower considerations of economic growth to the broader issues of economic development such as unemployment, poverty and income distribution. The present study focuses its attention on evaluating the functional income distribution effects of new technology.