02569cam a2200289 i 4500008004100000020001800041040000800059050002400067100002600091245009900117260004500216300001100261505001800272518001500290520146400305650003301769650006401802650004101866650004801907650002501955650004201980651005002022900001402072942001302086999001902099952016102118150205s2015    nyu      b    001 0 eng    a9781633880405  aSDU00aHD5724bW467 F 20151 aWenz, Peter S.93251210aFunctional inefficiency :bthe unexpected benefits of wasting time and money /cPeter S. Wenz.  aAmherst, NY : bPrometheus Books, c2015  a444 p.  a HKBU library  aYT2025 M09  a"How can we reduce unemployment? As this insightful and counterintuitive book shows, the surprising answer is inefficiency. Some of the most labor-intensive sectors of the economy, the author notes, are also the most inefficient. But this inefficiency is functional--rather than impairing the economy, it bolsters employment and fosters economic growth.  Technological progress increases efficiency and reduces the need for workers in manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and many services. So how do we keep people working? By maintaining inefficiencies in other areas, such as in our systems of transportation and healthcare. The author documents the waste of time and money in hospital systems, the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, automotive travel, road construction, and road maintenance. These inefficiencies are tolerated because they provide a lot of jobs and promote economic growth, making them functional inefficiencies.  Most of these inefficiencies can be reduced without increasing unemployment or impairing economic growth, the author claims, through increased investment in physical and human infrastructure. However, continued inefficiencies inherent in consumerism can't be eradicated without economic decline, making some inefficiency essential as well as functional.  Functional Inefficiency offers a wealth of details and a unique analysis of our economic system, plus hope for our future prospects through reduced inefficiency"-- 0aUnemploymentzUnited States. 0aTechnological innovationsxEconomic aspectszUnited States. 0aEconomic developmentzUnited States. 7aBUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economics / General. 7aPHILOSOPHY / Social. 7aSOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General. 0aUnited StatesxEconomic policyy21st century.  a= C.1 SDU  cGBE2lcc  c102194d102194  00102lcc406HD5724 W467 F2015708CGB9282385aSDUbSDUcGEN3d2025-09-19e2l0oHD5724 W467 F 2015p1000377292r2025-09-19 00:00:00tC.1w2025-09-19yGBE