Technology and Work in German Industry

The future of work organization and the role of workers in manufacturing has provoked a considerable amount of debate in the light of rapid technological developments of recent years. German industry in particular is a central focus for studying technical and organizational changes in industry due to its pivotal position in international markets, its technological sophistication and its well-established training systems. "Technology and Work in German Industry" brings together contributions which include both theoretical approaches and extensive empirical studies comparing the manufacturing industry in Germany to other European countries. They look at the developments of new technology in German manufacturing, identifying trends in rationalization and the influences they have on organizational behaviour. They also analyze the consequences of such changes on the workforce asking whether they will become more, or less skilled. As they discuss the relationships between technology and the workforce they include discussions on flexible specialization, union relations, small and large firms and training processes.
This book should be of interest to academics, postgraduates and practitioners in new technology development, organizational behaviour, industrial sociology and industrial relations.