EL SECTOR SECUNDARIO 👩🏻🏭⚙️ | RESUMEN COMPLETO en 12 minutos
Understanding the Secondary Sector
Overview of the Secondary Sector
- The secondary sector involves transforming natural resources into goods and services, which fulfill human needs. This process is often overlooked by consumers who buy products without understanding their manufacturing journey.
- Over recent years, the secondary sector has undergone significant changes, particularly since the onset of industrial revolutions centuries ago.
Current Industrial Revolution
- A key question arises: Are we still in an industrial revolution? The impact of automation and robotics on employment is a critical concern for future job markets.
- As new generations enter a rapidly evolving workforce, many may find themselves in jobs that do not yet exist.
Types of Industries
- The secondary sector encompasses various activities such as industry, energy production, construction, and mining. This discussion will primarily focus on manufacturing industries.
- Industries can be classified into two main types:
- Production Goods Industries: These produce necessary goods for other industries (e.g., raw materials like gasoline or aluminum).
- Consumer Goods Industries: These create products intended directly for consumers.
Example of Production Goods
- An example illustrates this concept using a screw:
- A manufacturer can sell screws to consumers or to other factories that require them for assembly (e.g., furniture).
Resources Required for Industrial Activities
- To conduct industrial activities effectively, essential resources include:
- Raw materials sourced from the primary sector.
- Energy sources that power industrial processes.
Energy Sources in Industry
Classification of Energy Sources
- Energy sources are categorized into two types:
- Non-renewable Energies: These include fossil fuels like oil and coal, which do not regenerate quickly.
- Renewable Energies: Increasingly important today; these sources do not deplete with use (e.g., wind, solar, hydroelectric).
Importance of Location Factors
- Several factors influence where industries are located:
- Proximity to raw materials reduces transportation costs.
- Labor quality and availability affect industry placement; less specialized labor often leads to locations in developing countries.
Industrialization and Global Shifts
Traditional Industrial Regions
- The world has historically been dominated by three major industrial regions: Western Europe, the USA, and Japan, which played significant roles in past industrial revolutions.
- Emerging industrial regions such as China, India, Brazil, South Korea, and Southeast Asia have gained prominence in recent decades.
Phenomenon of Deindustrialization
- A trend known as deindustrialization is occurring where companies relocate factories to countries with cheaper labor or closer access to raw materials.
- For example, Nike, a classic American sportswear company, manufactures its products in Vietnam instead of the USA due to cost advantages.
Impact on Local Economies and Labor Rights
- The closure of traditional factories in developed countries raises concerns about labor exploitation in poorer nations lacking strong labor laws.
- There are significant implications for environmental impact when industries operate in countries without stringent regulations.
Economic Trade-offs
- Consumers often prioritize lower prices for goods like shoes but may overlook the hidden costs associated with these savings on local economies and labor conditions.
Evolution of Industrial Activities
- Industrial activities have evolved significantly since the mid-18th century when the first industrial revolutions began transitioning from artisanal production to factory-based manufacturing.
- Currently, we are witnessing what experts call the Fourth Industrial Revolution characterized by advancements such as automation and robotics.
Future Workforce Considerations
- By 2050, it is projected that robots will replace half of current jobs in developed countries due to increasing automation.
- Despite potential job losses from automation, new opportunities will arise requiring skills that robots cannot replicate—such as creativity and social skills.
Preparing for Change
- Future jobs will demand a 70% increase in skills that complement technological advancements rather than compete against them.
- Embracing innovations like robotics and AI can lead to new employment opportunities despite fears surrounding job displacement.
Conclusion