Redeployment or robocalypse? Workers and automation in Ohio manufacturing SMEs
In: Cambridge journal of regions, economy and society, Band 13, Heft 1, S. 99-115
ISSN: 1752-1386
Abstract
A case study on small and medium metalworking firms in Ohio explores how US-based factory owners conceptualise automation and the impact that newly introduced technologies have on workers. The cost and risk of replacing entire production processes and the still-relevant capabilities of old equipment encourage the interviewed firms to complement rather than replace existing technologies and workers. An incremental, piecemeal strategy makes it less likely that companies will introduce more integrated automation systems that may presage fully-automated manufacturing.