Using computer-based technology

Computer-based technologies initiated irreversible changes in the contents and organization of the production process in western market economies. Industries based on economies of scale have been replaced by industries based on economies of scope organizing in a way which allows the production of small batches of widely varying products according to customer's specifications. New industries are quality- and customer-oriented and have a high conceptual component. They rely on services such as design, marketing, advertising and after-sales services, which are an increasingly important and integral part of manufacturing. The conventional division between services and manufacturing has become blurred, as a significant and growing part of the valued added in manufacturing consists of services.