Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Is Manufacturing the Primary Driver of Innovation?

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Is it too late for the United States to regain its competitive footing regarding innovation and creating high-tech products?

Professors Gary Pisano and Willy Shih have something to say about this hot topic.

Read: "Why Manufacturing Matters," HBS Working Knowledge

One of the key concepts in their Q&A is:
Exporting manufacturing has a negative impact on the country's industrial commons, which represents the collective capability to sustain innovation.
Be sure to read the reader's comments -- very thought-provoking.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

3 comments:

McKibbinUSA said...

The number of people working in manufacturing has been steadily declining in the US. In fact, the number of Americans working in manufacturing is approaching pre-WWII levels at this point -- more at:

http://wjmc.blogspot.com/2011/04/us-manufacturing-versus-government.html

The reality is that manufacturing has been in decline in America for a very long time...

John Hunter said...

Manufacturing continues to grow in the USA even though people keep saying it is declining http://investing.curiouscatblog.net/2011/01/04/top-15-manufacturing-countries-in-2009/

Manufacturing jobs keep declining globally. The decline in jobs in the USA is on par with the decline globally http://investing.curiouscatblog.net/2008/09/29/manufacturing-employment-data-1979-to-2007/ The story is the amazing increase in productivity worldwide that has steadily reduced jobs globally.

Manufacturing is important. But it isn't the only source of innovation. Many other very important areas are driven by innovation included health care and information technology.

Laurel Delaney said...

Hi, William,

Thanks for reading our blog and we most certainly appreciate your comment about the decline in America's manufacturing.

What do you propose we do to turn things around? I'm a solution-oriented person so I'm curious as to what your thoughts are and what this decline means relative to U.S.A. exports. I believe you've commented in the past about 'service exports' so I'm thinking that sector will will grow exponentially as a result of the weakness in manufacturing. Yes?

Much appreciation,
Laurel