Re:The case for ending Amazon’s dominance
by wpietri on Saturday February 17, 2018 @05:39PM
(#16403177)
That can happen, but it's not the only thing that can happen. Look, for example, at the way Toyota easily beat American carmakers for decades.
"Respect for People" was at the core of the Toyota Production System, and by that they meant both workers and customers. Their extensive investment in workers let them create better products for less money. Their refusal to lay people off cost them in the short term, but gained them substantial competitive advantage in the long term.
This only becomes more true the more we automate things. If machines are doing the dumb stuff, that only leaves smart stuff. And unhappy, underpaid people don't do smart stuff very well.
"Respect for People" was at the core of the Toyota Production System, and by that they meant both workers and customers. Their extensive investment in workers let them create better products for less money. Their refusal to lay people off cost them in the short term, but gained them substantial competitive advantage in the long term.
This only becomes more true the more we automate things. If machines are doing the dumb stuff, that only leaves smart stuff. And unhappy, underpaid people don't do smart stuff very well.
For those interested in how a different philosophy can lead to a deep competitive advantage, check out the This American Life episode on NUMMI: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/561/...