Table 1
Characteristics of Today’s and Tomorrow’s Workplace
Traditional Model 21st Century Model
STRATEGY
Mass production Flexible production
Long production runs Customized production
Centralized control Customized production
PRODUCTION
Fixed automation Flexible automation
End of line quality control On line quality control
Fragmentation of tasks Work teams, multi-skilled
workers
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Authority vested in supervisor Work teams, multi-skilled
workers
HIRING / HUMAN RESOURCES
Labor management-
Confrontation
Labor management-
Cooperation
Minimal qualifications accepted Screening for basic skills
Workers as a cost Screening for basic skills
JOB LADDERS
Internal labor market Limited internal labor
market
Advancement by seniority Advancement by certified
skills
TRAINING
Minimal for production workers Training sessions for
everyone
Specialized for craft workers Broader skills sought
Office of Technology Assessment. (1990). Competing in the New International Economy.
Washington, DC