Concept of High Technology Industry - High technology, or simply high-tech, is the latest generation of manufacturing activities. It is best understood as the application of intensive research and development (R and D) efforts leading to the manufacture of products of an advanced scientific and engineering character. Professional (white collar) workers make up a large share of the total workforce. These highly skilled specialists greatly outnumber the actual production (blue collar) workers. Robotics on the assembly line, computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing, electronic controls of smelting and refining processes, and the constant development of new chemical and pharmaceutical products are notable examples of a high-tech industry. Neatly spaced, low, modern, dispersed, office-plant-lab buildings rather than massive assembly structures, factories and storage areas mark the high-tech industrial landscape. Planned business parks for high-tech start-ups have become part of regional and local development schemes. High-tech industries which are regionally concentrated, self-sustained and highly specialized are called technopolies. The Silicon Valley near San Francisco and Silicon Forest near Seattle are examples of technopolies.
Which of the following is the latest generation of manufacturing activities?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → High-tech
Option (1) Eco-tourism — Incorrect. Eco-tourism, travel to natural areas that protects the environment, is a service (tertiary) activity, not manufacturing.
Option (2) High-tech — Correct. High technology (high-tech) is the latest generation of manufacturing activities: intensive research and development leading to products of an advanced scientific and engineering character.
Option (3) Medical tourism — Incorrect. Medical treatment combined with international tourism is a service, not manufacturing.
Option (4) Outsourcing — Incorrect. Outsourcing, giving work to an outside agency to cut costs, is a way of organising services, not manufacturing.
Note: The concept in Option (1), ‘Eco-tourism’, is not in NCERT (2025-26); explained here for the benefit of the students.
NCERT (2025-26): “Concept of High Technology Industry High technology, or simply high-tech, is the latest generation of manufacturing activities. It is best understood as the application of intensive research and development (R and D) efforts leading to the manufacture of products of an advanced scientific and engineering character. Professional (white collar) workers make up a large share of the total workforce. These highly skilled specialists greatly outnumber the actual production (blue collar) workers. Robotics on the assembly line, computer -aided design (CAD) and manufacturing, electronic controls of smelting and refining processes, and the constant development of new chemical and pharmaceutical products are notable examples of a high-tech industry. Neatly spaced, low, modern, dispersed, office-plant-lab buildings rather than massive assembly structures, factories and storage areas mark the high-tech industrial landscape. Planned business parks for high-tech start-ups have become part of regional and local development schemes. High-tech industries which are regionally concentrated, self-sustained and highly specialised are called technopolies. The Silicon Valley near San Francisco and Silicon Forest near Seattle are examples of technopolies.…” |