The Productivity Dilemma in Manufacturing

Abstract

The crises facing U.S. industry today due to increasing costs of operation, low productivity, lack of modern equipment, lack of capital, and increasing foreign competition have been widely discussed. The availability of new technology to meet industry's needs, improve productivity, and reduce costs is known, but the technology transfer needed to impact our industrial productivity has not taken place. A key factor in accomplishing technology transfer and implementation is the availability of the 'right' information that will result in an intelligent and accurate business decision. Despite the vast proliferation of technological information that has been generated over the last 30 years, these data are frequently not in a readily accessible form to assist many segments of U.S. industry in determining the best route to improve their productivity. It is the intent of this paper to examine technical information development in the U.S., the forms in which it is available, the technology transfer dilemma, and methodology that would repackage existing technology into a form that will enhance its assimilation and use in our industrial plants.