Technology and Capital in the Age of Lean Production

Download or read book Technology and Capital in the Age of Lean Production written by Tony Smith and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2000-08-10 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book illustrates the continued value of Marxism as a method for analyzing contemporary capitalism, despite the new Post-Fordist variant termed "lean production" that is spreading the globe. Characterized by knowledge work, lean production also includes the mass customization of commodities to consumer desires, and the close cooperation of firms within extended networks of production and distribution. Its proponents argue that it can unite companies, workers, and consumers in the harmonious pursuit of common interests, thereby making the Marxian perspective hopelessly outdated. However, this book is the first to defend Marxian political economy against the claims made by lean production advocates.