How industrial companies in Germany's critically important investment
goods sector are deploying new technological and organizational
production concepts to adapt to competitiveness challenges, new market
requirements, environmental demands, and policy pressures is examined in
this book. It draws on the Fraunhofer ISI's unique nationwide survey of
technology use and production in Germany. East German as well as West
German data is analyzed. Readers will gain fresh insights about the
diffusion of new production concepts, the interaction of process and
product innovations, and subsequent effects on productivity, employment,
work flexibility, and the business performance of German industry.
Implications for business strategy, public policy, and ongoing research
into technology diffusion are considered.