New Technology and Computers are Eliminating Jobs in America - Thesis Example

?New Technology and Computers are Eliminating Jobs in America America is one of the continents that has witnessed great improvements in technology and production of more advanced computers. These have worked for the benefit of mankind by making work easier. Initially they were meant to help reduce muscular requirements of work but due to their low cost and high quality of goods, new technology and computers are eliminating jobs in America. Automation has reduced the need for human muscular and mental abilities. Automated machines have displayed a high consistency, quality output and good work flow. They simplify production and reduce lead times. In regard to safety, they reduce the number of on-the-job casualties that can occur hence reduced medical bills for injured workers. They are a solution to harsh and dangerous working conditions and workplaces, for example, places with toxic fumes, under water and fire (Jeremy, 1995). They perform tasks that are beyond human capabilities, endurance and speed. Louise (2010) reveals that the drop in manufacturing employment is significant in America especially over the past decade. He further states that between the years 2000 and 2007 alone, there has been a 20% drop in manufacturing employment. The drop has increased further, because of the recent recession, by 15%. In many manufacturing companies, routine tasks have been automated. Therefore, there is no more need to have many workers. Manufacturing companies have witnessed improved production as a result of tapping into computers and other improved technology. Manufactures are also encouraged by the cost-efficiency of these automated machines and computers as compared to paying many workers. This has led to low cost of production and has translated to better profits and hence a good reason to keep out human labor to the best extend possible. This has led to many people loosing their jobs and the jobless remaining jobless (Jeremy, 1995). According to Louise (2010), there has been about six times increase in the amount of information processing equipment from the year 1987- 2007 in the US. These information processing equipment include robots and computers. Manufacturers also doubled the capital used per employee for each hour’s work in this period. This led to increased production capital thus reduced net profits. These advanced computers and robotics have increased production by enabling machines to perfume routine tasks better than men. This has encouraged replacement of the expensive, less productive human labor by of robots and computers. The loss of employment due to improved technology and computers is not only limited to manufacturing companies. Workers in other sectors have also been affected. For example, automated telephone switchboards and telephone answering have replaced telephone operators. In the medical fields such as electrocardiography or radiography, primary screening is now done faster and more accurately by automated systems. The analysis of human genes, tissues and cells is also done by automated machines. This has locked out medical personnel who are qualified to do these jobs (Brain, 2003). Automated video surveillance (AVS) was developed and applied for security purposes between 1997—1999. The airborne video surveillance (AVS) was developed between 1998 and 2002. These have been used in busy environments to monitor people. They record happenings, send warning signals incase of danger and alert authorities incase alarming situations happen therefore replacing a significant number of human security personnel (Brain, 2003). Tellers in banks have also been greatly affected due to development of automated teller machines (ATMs). For cash and other transactions, people no longer the need to visit banks and queue for a long time for these services. Due to growing demand for safety and mobility on the roads, there has been adoption of the automated highway systems. Over the last six years the US congress has allocated over $600million for the development of intelligent transport systems (ITS). This has reduced the need for traffic police because the automate highways are more efficient than the police manned highways. Brain (2003), argues that home automation has snatched jobs from house helps, for example, by automated washing machines and robots used to perform other household chores such as vacuum cleaning, floor washing and lawn mowing. Other house hold activities controlled from a personal include controlling yard watering and pet feeding. Robots have also been adapted in other sectors, for example, reception where robots have receive, entertain and direct visitors hence replacing human receptionists. According to Bernard et al (2003), Pharmacy automation has reduced the need for employing more workers because the advance technologies, for example, counting and verifying systems like ‘next generation’ are more efficient in handling high number of prescriptions. They make dispensing more accurate and safer by counting tablets, confirming prescriptions and dosage faster. A portion of the Congress has blamed loss of jobs to foreign competition where cheap imports have flooded the market especially from china. This argument has received less support. Increased trade between china and America cannot be blamed for the loss of manufacturing employment as compared to improved technology and computers. This is because though there has been an increase in trade between the two nations, it has been at the expense of the other trade partners. For example since 1992, there has been a 14% increase in points for imports from china and a 19% drop for imports from Pacific Rim. This means there is another factor underlying loss of jobs (Bernard et al, 2003). Even with these facts, we cannot totally blame improved technology and computers for loss of jobs in America. Research has also proved that there has been increased employment/ employment opportunities due to their introduction and use especially for the learned people. For example, there has been an increase in employment for highly skilled workers in manufacturing industries. They are highly needed to operate machines that have automated the rote tasks. They also monitor their conditions and performance (Coulibaly, 2006). According to Coulibaly (2006), automation of food manufacturing and preservation has led to production of pre-made and pre-packed food. This has increased dependence on commercial food preparation places like restaurants selling fast foods. This has automatically led to increased increase in number of restaurants and consequently employment in the restaurants for services such as receptionists, cashiers and other customer service providers. Automation of processes and the application of modern technologies has led to the loss of countless jobs not only in the United Sates of America but the world over. This is partly evidenced by the drop in manufacturing employment by one-third over the last decade whereas production has remained fairly constant. This means something has taken over the role of human labor. With improved economy, due to increased production as a result of using these improved technology and computers, the revenue should be used to create alternative job opportunities for the people displaced and increase welfare funds. Automation cannot be applied to all processes therefore low-skilled labor will always be needed to do what automated machines cannot do. There are more investors joining the manufacturing sector therefore displaced workers should be able to get position in the new companies (Brain, 2003). Employment can be restored by moderating the use of these advanced technology and computers. A law must be passed specifying the extent to which manufacturing companies can rely on automated machines and computers and the rest of the work load left to the low skilled workers. This will however work for the disadvantage of the overall economy as it will lead to reduced out put. A better business climate should also be created to encourage expansion by manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies. Though the adoption of advanced technology and computers is to be largely blamed for the huge employment loss in America, it is not possible to totally eliminate the due to the negative economic side effects it will present. Moderating their use is the best way out for this situation. References Bernard. A, Eaton. J, Jensen. B, and l Kortum. S, (2003). “Plants and Productivity in International Trade.” Journal of American Economic Review (4) Vol. 93 pp. 1268–1290 Brain M. (2003). Robotic Nation. Online. URL http://marshallbrain.com/robotic-nation.htm. Retrieved on 20th January, 2011. Coulibaly. B (2006) Changes in Job Quality and Trends in Labor Hours. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System International Finance Discussion Paper No. 882. Online. http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/ifdp/2006/882/ifdp882.pdf . Viewed on 20th January, 2011. Jeremy. R (1995). The End of Work: The Decline of the Global Labor Force and the Dawn of the Post-Market Era. New York,USA: Tarcher–G.P. Putnam's Sons Louise. T (2010). Disappearing Jobs: High-Paying Careers with No Future. Online. http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/111385/disappearing-jobs-high-paying-careers-with-no-future. Viewed on 20th January. 2011 Read More