postFordism

Post-Fordism is a term used in economic and social theory to describe a set of changes in production, labor, and consumption that emerged in the late 20th century as a departure from Fordism. While Fordism emphasized standardized mass production, high-volume output, and stable wage-labor relations, post-Fordism stresses flexibility, variety, and knowledge-based work.

Key features include flexible production systems that prioritize product variety and customization, smaller batch sizes, and flexible specialization. Production is coordinated through information technologies, lean practices, and the use of outsourcing and global subcontracting networks. Just-in-time inventory, modular design, and rapid reconfiguration of plants are common. The economy shifts toward services and high-skill, knowledge-intensive activities.

Economic implications include greater responsiveness to changing consumer demands and greater geographic dispersion of production. Firms rely more on flexible labor markets, subcontracting, and nonstandard employment arrangements. Capital investment focuses on information and communication technologies and adaptable manufacturing capabilities.

Social and spatial effects include urban restructuring, growth of service-oriented and high-tech sectors, and erosion of long-term employment guarantees in many sectors. Wage and job insecurity can increase, even as overall productivity and innovation rise. Regions dependent on traditional manufacturing may face deindustrialization.

Critics argue that post-Fordism is a contested label and that elements of Fordism persist in many industries. Some scholars see it as a transitional phase rather than a distinct regime, while others note continuities with earlier industrial patterns and emphasize unequal impacts across countries, sectors, and workers.