Appropriate Industrial Technology: Benefits and Obstacles

Abstract

The systematic adoption of appropriate rather than advanced industrial technology in the modern manufacturing sector of less-developed countries could increase output and employment by substantial amounts. Calculations of the rough order of magnitude of these gains are presented. It is argued that among the factors inhibiting the realization of these benefits are large information costs incurred in learning about technical options as well as the difficulties governments perceive in altering current economic policies that discourage the use of appropriate technology.