Explores the impact of employment promotion companies initially intended to bridge job shortages and help German workers find unsubsidized employment. Considers whether they contributed to labor market restructuring or distorted competition with private companies. (SK)

Aspects of developing countries that may make computer-integrated manufacturing inappropriate include (1) inadequate infrastructure; (2) lack of capital; (3) policies regarding use of local products; (4) many small and medium-sized businesses; and (5) management practices. Higher productivity depends more on skilled management and workers and more…

During structural adjustment, training/retraining for unemployed persons is often poorly conceived. One reason is the lack of reliable ways to predict future skill requirements. Retraining should be kept fairly general to enable a wide range of potential jobs. (SK)

The relationship between production systems, work organization, and skills has become a policy consideration in many industrialized countries seeking to improve competitiveness without reducing wage standards. Decision makers should weigh the costs of making these changes. (JOW)