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Fourth industrial revolution concepts in the automotive sector: performativity, work and employment

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  • Tommaso Pardi

    (CNRS IDHES)

Abstract

In order to assess the possibility for a digital manufacturing revolution to take place in the automotive sector, the article reviews the historical evolution of automotive manufacturing technologies and organisations and analyses the impact on “fourth industrial revolution” concepts on their current transformations, taking into account in particular their consequences for employment and work. It shows that previous attempts of automating final assembly have failed because human based teamwork organizations have proved more flexible and efficient in dealing with complex assembly processes. It also highlights that the two main reasons behind these attempts in the past are not present anymore: important gaps in productivity and quality between leading and lagging firms; and shortages of skilled and unskilled manpower willing to work in automotive factories. The scope for a digital manufacturing revolution taking place in the automotive sector appears therefore limited. The analysis of the impact on automotive manufacturing of the three main “fourth industrial revolution” concepts in Germany (Industrie 4.0) in the US (advanced manufacturing), and in China (Made in China 2025) supports more than it challenges this historical understanding of the future of manufacturing in the automotive sector. It dismisses the idea that a fourth industrial revolution is under way and that a radical disruptive break will take place in the coming years.

Suggested Citation

  • Tommaso Pardi, 2019. "Fourth industrial revolution concepts in the automotive sector: performativity, work and employment," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 46(3), pages 379-389, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolin:v:46:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s40812-019-00119-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s40812-019-00119-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Donald Mackenzie & Fabian Muniesa & Lucia Siu, 2007. "Do Economists Make Markets? On the Performativity of Economics," Post-Print halshs-00149145, HAL.
    2. Jurgens, Ulrich & Krzywdzinski, Martin, 2016. "New Worlds of Work: Varieties of Work in Car Factories in the BRIC Countries," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198722670.
    3. David H. Autor, 2015. "Why Are There Still So Many Jobs? The History and Future of Workplace Automation," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 29(3), pages 3-30, Summer.
    4. Donald MacKenzie & Fabian Muniesa & Lucia Siu, 2007. "Introduction to Do Economists Make Markets? On the Performativity of Economics," Introductory Chapters, in: Donald MacKenzie & Fabian Muniesa & Lucia Siu (ed.),Do Economists Make Markets? On the Performativity of Economics, Princeton University Press.
    5. Bernard Jullien & Tommaso Pardi, 2013. "Structuring new automotive industries, restructuring old automotive industries and the new geopolitics of the global automotive sector," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 13(2), pages 96-113.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Guendalina Anzolin, 2021. "Automation and its Employment Effects: A Literature Review of Automotive and Garment Sectors," JRC Working Papers on Labour, Education and Technology 2021-16, Joint Research Centre.
    2. Angelo Moro & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2022. "Towards Factory 4.0? Convergence and divergence of lean models in Italian automotive plants," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 22(2), pages 245-271.
    3. Louisa Prause, 2021. "Digital Agriculture and Labor: A Few Challenges for Social Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    4. Armanda Cetrulo & Giovanni Dosi & Angelo Moro & Linnea Nelli & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2023. "Automation, digitalization and decarbonization in the European automotive industry: a roadmap towards a just transition," LEM Papers Series 2023/36, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    5. Markéta Adamová, 2022. "The Influence of Corporate Culture on the Development of Employee Training System in Enterprises of the New Economy," Economics Working Papers 2022-02, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Economics.
    6. Krzysztof Ejsmont, 2021. "The Impact of Industry 4.0 on Employees—Insights from Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-31, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industry 4.0; Advanced manufacturing; Made in China 2025; Automation; Automotive sector; Work and employment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • L62 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Automobiles; Other Transportation Equipment; Related Parts and Equipment
    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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