| 000 | 02396cam a2200277 i 4500 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 008 | 150205s2015 nyu b 001 0 eng | ||
| 020 | _a9781633880405 | ||
| 040 | _aSDU | ||
| 050 | 0 | 0 |
_aHD5724 _bW467 F 2015 |
| 100 | 1 |
_aWenz, Peter S. _932512 |
|
| 245 | 1 | 0 |
_aFunctional inefficiency : _bthe unexpected benefits of wasting time and money / _cPeter S. Wenz. |
| 260 |
_aAmherst, NY : _bPrometheus Books, _c2015 |
||
| 300 | _a444 p. | ||
| 505 | _a HKBU library | ||
| 518 | _aYT2025 M09 | ||
| 520 | _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"-- | ||
| 650 | 0 |
_aUnemployment _zUnited States. |
|
| 650 | 0 |
_aTechnological innovations _xEconomic aspects _zUnited States. |
|
| 650 | 0 |
_aEconomic development _zUnited States. |
|
| 650 | 7 | _aBUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economics / General. | |
| 650 | 7 | _aPHILOSOPHY / Social. | |
| 650 | 7 | _aSOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General. | |
| 651 | 0 |
_aUnited States _xEconomic policy _y21st century. |
|
| 900 | _a= C.1 SDU | ||
| 942 |
_cGBE _2lcc |
||
| 999 |
_c102194 _d102194 |
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