In a recent article in HR Executive, an interesting point was raised as to how technology can improve the production of goods. The author argued that there has been a paradigm shift from using people to manufacturing goods in large numbers, to using technology instead. According to him, many organizations have moved away from manual work, towards technology.
Technology is no more something ‘magical’ or ‘innovative’ because it often uses complex machines that are very intricate and designed specifically for the task at hand – which is production of goods. As a result, people who once did the work physically, do so much of it electronically, and as a result, production lines often look like assembly lines, rather than the rows of tools and materials waiting to be worked.
However, technology is not perfect. Often, it is not suitable for certain kinds of production. If a process cannot be automated, then it cannot be done with technology. If a material cannot be manufactured on a molecular level, then it will not be suitable for technology either. As a result, technology sometimes produces goods that are below standard or poor in quality.
But that does not mean that all technology is bad. It just means that there is a balance between technology and production, and when it is not applied correctly, it can cause problems for both sides. For instance, automated systems may often replace humans, which automatically increases the likelihood of errors in manufacturing. However, when they are correctly applied, they can provide a higher quality product, which reduces costs.
Quality Products
Poor quality products are also likely to be dumped onto the scrap heap. However, improved machinery and techniques mean that such things are processed much more efficiently. They are also likely to be sent to far-flung places where they are much cheaper and easier to use than in the producer’s plant. As a result, waste is reduced and production time is increased. So it is clear that technology can improve the quality of production.
Science &Technology
The production of good quality goods is a process that involves complex interactions between science, technology and manufacturing. This has resulted in a vast variety of different technologies, each having their own benefits and limitations. For example, some materials can easily undergo many layers of processing, whereas others need to go through more refining before they are ready to be sold. Other types of technology might improve the quality of materials used in manufacturing, but they might have a detrimental effect on the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process, because the process is usually very complicated.
In this respect, technology is not always the enemy of good manufacturing. New machines and techniques allow manufacturers to make their factories much more efficient and so produce goods of a much higher quality. They are able to do this because they have access to more advanced technology. Additionally, new information enables manufacturing companies to improve the overall efficiency of the whole process, allowing them to make goods that have increased longevity and which are better able to resist damage. All of these combine to mean that technology cannot always be ruled out when it comes to improving the quality of goods.