An Inquiry Into The Rejuvenation And Restructuring Of The Australian Manufacturing Industry

The rapid growth in exports of manufactures from developing countries has unsettled the performance of manufacturing activities in many developed countries. Asian countries are heavily involved in the export of manufactures. Australia typifies the problems faced by the developed countries. How should Australia respond? Should it attempt to isolate itself from Asia? Or should it attempt to integrate itself with Asia? Is the removal of import restraints a prerequisite for closer integration? Or can closer integration be achieved by alternative approaches which are more politically acceptable? These issues are discussed.

During the early 1990s, a quiet controversy began in Australia about the nature of the ongoing global economic restructuring process, how it was initiated, and how it will affect the continent's economy and society. Global Restructuring: The Australian Experience offers a succinct, authoritative introduction to the various issues involved in this complex and important topic, one that has rekindled the debate about the future role of transnational corporations, foreign investment, the competitiveness of Australian production on world markets, and government's role in regulating global change and its impact on local economies. Bringing a geographical perspective to the debate, the authors of Global Restructuring define specific links between the processes of global change and transformations within Australia. They discuss the uneven impacts of change on major Australian economic and social sectors, and present insightful case studies of the food processing, iron and steel production, motor vehicle manufacturing, and banking industries. Provocative and fascinating, Global Restructuring adds an important voice to this emerging topic, and will be welcomed by students and researchers in social and economic geography, environmental studies, agricultural economics, and political economy.

This book examines the Australian state's changing role in post-war manufacturing industry. It provides a comprehensive analysis of federal industry policy since World War II and develops a range of arguments about the limits and possibilities of state-industry relationships in Australia.

Restructuring in the Australian manufacturing industry has resulted in many Australians being displaced from their jobs. This particularly impacts older, lower-skilled workers. Involving an extensive review of past research and case studies in four states, this research identifies practices that can assist with the successful skills transfer, re-skilling and the attainment of new jobs by displaced older workers in the manufacturing industry.