A new industrial revolution? Technological change and the implications for South African labour

Abstract

The new international development literature speaks of the world being on the verge of a renewed industrial revolution. The first part of this paper reviews this literature, focussing on three aspects, its technological character, changes in labour demand and in the labour process and the shifting international locale for industrial innovation and production.

A second section considers the implications for South Africa. In some respects, South Africa is in a fairly favourable position for adapting to technological change. However, several major problems pose themselves. This paper suggests:

1. the pressing need for a social compact as a political context;

2. the need to solve skills and trainings limitations and block‐ups; and

3. the difficulties involved in evolving an effective state‐led industrial policy.

The danger that only a minority will benefit from successful technological development unless it is linked to ‘inward industrialisation’ strategies is posed. Current efforts to map out the changing industrial scene in South Africa represent a crucial step.