Beyond the Fordist/Post-Fordist dichotomy: Working through The Second Industrial Divide

The publication of The Second Industrial Divide helped to initiate a sustai ned inquiry into the transformation of work under industrial capitalism in the late twentieth century. The argument that the breakdown of Fordist mass production ushered in a new production paradigm in the shape of flexible s ystems of work organization is reexamined. The dominant role of high-volume mass production and its craft-based counterpart can continue to coexist we ll into the future. Nevertheless, current income and employment trends appe ar to disadvantage the traditional blue-collar Fordist worker and industria l unions. The cause of these trends may not, however, be directly linked to skills associated with computer technology. Finally, the type of flexibili ty most closely associated with the work of Piore and Sabel-flexible specia lization-is discussed. It is argued that flexible specialization within ind ustrial districts that (a) foster the development of socially informed econ omic action and (b) constrain competitive behavior may form the basis for t he creation of different employment opportunities that challenge the domina nt logic of capitalist development through which flexible employment strate gies are used in tandem with corporate downsizing and increased managerial control.