Automation Outside the United States

Abstract

Today, automated equipment can be found in all parts of the world. In the industrial countries, automation has gone beyond the experimental stage and has turned into a rapidly growing movement. In the developing countries, in dividual examples of automation exist, but they are still rare and isolated. Technically, automation is everywhere alike. But the reasons for its utilization, and its social and economic impact, vary between countries according to their stage of de velopment, international trade factors, employment situation, skill level of the labor force, and other factors. So far, there has been little evidence that automation causes unemployment, particularly in Europe where labor shortages are on the in crease, although a certain amount of dislocation is inevitable in the transitional stages. A variety of social measures, com bined with early consultation of the workers affected, should help effect a reasonably smooth transition until the benefits of higher productivity may be reflected in the economy in the form of more job opportunities. The International Labour Organisation has devoted much attention to the social impact of automation and expects this field to remain at the forefront of its preoccupations for many years to come.