New Books Network Anthony J. Knowles, "Driving Productivity: Automation, Labor, and Industrial Development in the United States and Germany" (Brill, 2025)
Oct 9, 2025
Anthony J. Knowles, a Teaching Assistant Professor in Sociology and postdoctoral researcher, explores the industrial histories of the U.S. and Germany's automotive sectors. He dives into how automation impacts labor differently in these countries, shaped by their unique industrial paradigms. Knowles highlights the evolution from Fordism to lean production and discusses challenges in accessing corporate archives. He emphasizes the auto industry's role in economic development and contrasts current shifts, like the transition to electric vehicles.
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Research Journey Across Two Countries
- Anthony Knowles conducted dissertation research in Germany and Detroit, using archives like Volkswagen and GM.
- He turned that dissertation into the book Driving Productivity to reach a wider audience.
Archival Access Varied Greatly
- Archival access varied widely: Ford sent a full compressed file while Volkswagen forbade photos and limited tools.
- Knowles learned German to read documents and typed notes on a laptop during constrained visits.
Value Regimes Shape Automation Paths
- Automation outcomes depend on historical and institutional configurations of business, labor, and government.
- Knowles frames U.S. and German differences as distinct value regimes shaping productivity and technology choices.
