Geography · Ch 5 — Secondary Activities
Characteristics of Modern Large Scale Manufacturing
Characteristics of Modern Large Scale Manufacturing
Specialisation of Skills and Methods of Production
Modern large-scale manufacturing is built on a sharp contrast with older craft methods. Under the craft system, factories produce only a few pieces, each made to order. This keeps costs high because every item is unique and labour-intensive.
Mass production, on the other hand, is the opposite. It involves producing large quantities of standardised parts. Each worker performs only one task repeatedly. This repetition allows for speed, efficiency, and lower costs per unit.
What 'Manufacturing' Means Today
The word 'manufacturing' literally means 'to make by hand'. But today, it includes goods made by machines. At its core, manufacturing is a process that transforms raw materials into finished goods of higher value. These goods are then sold in local or distant markets.
An industry, conceptually, is a geographically located manufacturing unit that maintains books of accounts and records under a management system.
The term 'industry' is comprehensive. It is often used synonymously with 'manufacturing'. For example, when we say 'steel industry' or 'chemical industry', we think of factories and processes. However, many secondary activities are not carried out in factories — such as the 'entertainment industry' or 'tourism industry'. To avoid confusion, the longer expression 'manufacturing industry' is used for clarity.
Mechanisation and Automation
Mechanisation refers to using gadgets that accomplish tasks. It is the first step away from manual labour.
Automation is the advanced stage of mechanisation. In automation, the manufacturing process proceeds without the aid of human thinking. Automatic factories with feedback and closed-loop computer control systems have sprung up all over the world. In these factories, machines are developed to 'think' — they monitor and adjust their own operations.
Technological Innovation
Technological innovation, driven by research and development strategy, is a vital aspect of modern manufacturing. It serves several purposes:
- Quality control — ensuring products meet consistent standards.
- Eliminating waste and inefficiency — making processes leaner.
- Combating pollution — reducing environmental harm.
Organisational Structure and Stratification
Modern manufacturing is characterised by:
- Complex machine technology.
- Extreme specialisation and division of labour — this allows more goods to be produced with less effort and lower costs.
It also requires:
- Vast capital.
- Large organisations.
- Executive bureaucracy — a management hierarchy to run a large-scale manufacturing industry.