ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a case study which illustrates the relationship between technical change and corporate restructuring in the food industry. It investigates the impact of a major process innovation in the cereals and snacks industries – the introduction of Ishida computerized check weighing machines during the period 1981–4. The food industry is characterized by high levels of firm concentration – output is in the hands of a few major transnational companies. The introduction of the Ishida is only one part of the development of the mechanized process which will ensure the eventual creation of the automated crisp factory. Technical change is focusing on weighing and packaging innovations because of the impact of microelectronics. The result is that women's employment and working conditions are becoming more insecure and uncertain as technical change and a new round of investment allows full-time jobs to be converted into part-time and temporary ones.
