The aim of this book is to broaden our understanding of technological
change by adopting the concept of technological retrogression. With
reference to concrete cases of technological retrogression a new
conceptual framework is developed. Extensive fieldwork in Sri Lanka
and Malaysia forms the empirical fundament. A new method of
reconstructing technological change is furthermore developed. The book
contains a detailed account of the work history method, which is
designed to capture changes over time where there are no statistical
data available. The book contains a thorough examination of central
theories of socio-economic transitions in developing countries,
searching for an explanation of instances where modernization
reverses. The exposition aims at contrasting retrogressive economic
dynamics of technological change to progressive dynamics as developed
by Schumpeter. At one extreme in the dimension of technological
change, capital-strong production units innovate their way out of the
recession through technological progress, adopting more advanced
production equipment that improves productivity. Following
Schumpeterian progressive dynamics, virtuous spirals of growth result.
At the other end we find the producers that resort to technological
retrogression, which secures survival, but which result in low labour
productivity, diminishing the possibility of capital accumulation and
thus modernization that could form an escape from poverty. Vicious
spirals of decline result, which is the book’s main object of
analysis. The theory is, thus, a contribution to understanding the
anatomy of recessions. The contention is, thus, that a choice of
technology of production may lead to reduced productivity and economic
decline. The concept of technological change should, therefore, not be
equated solely with productivity improvements and economic
development. Producers who experience technological retrogression may
find themselves in the paradoxical situation of earning more by
producing less, a paradox which is addressed in this book.
Furthermore, where technological retrogression involves a return to
organization of production of the past, this may affect the political
leverage of labour, curbing social progress. Reversal of
modernization, technological and organizational, is linked closely to
marginalization of producers and increased social
inequality. Lock-in of producers, both technologically and
geographically, into activities characterised by diminishing returns,
is considered a major precondition of technological retrogression.
Therefore, the phenomenon is thought most likely to occur during
periods of economic decline, recessions or during prolonged crises.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781785277153
Publisert
2021
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Anthem Press (NBN)
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter