Redeployment or robocalypse? Workers and automation in Ohio manufacturing SMEs

Anna Waldman-Brown

Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 2020, vol. 13, issue 1, 99-115

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.

Keywords: automation; employment; innovation; manufacturing; SMEs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society is currently edited by Judith Clifton, Anna Davies, Betsy Donald, Emil Evenhuis, Stefania Fiorentino (Associate Editor), Harry Garretsen, Meric Gertler, Amy Glasmeier, Mia Gray, Robert Hassink, Dieter Kogler, Michael Kitson, Linda Lobao, Charles van Marrewijk, Ron Martin, Peter Sunley, Peter Tyler and Chun Yang

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