- 著者
-
宋 娘沃
- 出版者
- 産業学会
- 雑誌
- 産業学会研究年報 (ISSN:09187162)
- 巻号頁・発行日
- vol.2008, no.23, pp.63-77,158, 2008-03-31 (Released:2010-05-27)
- 参考文献数
- 25
The mass retirement of Japan's baby-boomers has been a source of concern in recent years as one of the so-called “2007 problem”. Japan's baby-boomers, born in the 1947 to 1949 period, account for a little less than 10% of the country's work force. Japan's baby-boomers have built up the experience and knowledge, and played important roles in the mass production in Japan. They also have cultivated and enhanced foundation technology in the design, production and repair of products. However, many enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises are facing a shortage of younger workers in production and difficulty in transfering skills.The purpose of this paper is to describe methods of skills transfer in the age of information technology. What are methods of skills transfer from one generation of workers to the next in the age of IT?In this paper, first, I analyze the factors behind skills transfer. I point out factors such as mass retirement of veteran baby-boomer, a shortage of younger generation of workers, constant advances in technology and global competitive pressure. Second, the paper contends diversifying of channels on skills transfer. Enterprises are developing many methods of skills transfer, for example, database of know-how, manuals, textbook, video, e-learning and training. Thirdly, I make reference to skills transfer through use of IT, conversion of explicit knowledge through use of IT and manuals. Skills that have traditionally been difficult to convert to explicit knowledge are replaceable by IT.In conclusion, I note that skills transfer of the foundation technology through use of IT or digitization is progressing. The digitization of skills transfer is one of work process, visibility of skills or technology database through use of IT. The factors of skills transfer through use of IT or digitization are an increasing sophistication of technologies, shortening of technology cycles and lack of human resources to assist the transfer of skills. The positive effects of skills transfer through use of IT on enterprises are the reduction of working hours, cost-cutting and the speeding up of work process. On the other hand, the negative effects are the leakage of technologies and the lack of preparation for technological security.