UNIT-III
Chapter- 5
Secondary Activities
EXERCISES
1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(i) Which one of the following statements is wrong?
(a) Cheap water transport has facilitated the jute mill industry along
the Hugli.
(b) Sugar, cotton textiles and vegetable oils are footloose industries.
(c) The development of hydro-electricity and petroleum reduced, to a great
extent, the importance of coal energy as a locational factor for
industry.
(d) Port towns in India have attracted industries.
Answer:
(ii) In which one of the following types of economy are the factors of production
owned individually ?
(a) Capitalist (c) Socialist
(b) Mixed (d) None
Answer: (a) Capitalist
(iii) Which one of the following types of industries produces raw materials
for other industries?
(a) Cottage Industries (c) Basic Industries
(b) Small-scale Industries (d) Footloose Industries
Answer: (c) Basic Industries
(iv) Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched ?
(a) Automobile industry … Los Angeles
(b) Shipbuilding industry … Lusaka
(c) Aircraft industry … Florence
Answer: (a) Automobile industry … Los Angeles.
2. Write a short note on the following in about 30 words.
(i) High-Tech industry
Answer: "High-Tech industry" is a broad term, so to understand and answer your questions effectively, I need more context. What specifically would you like to know about the high-tech industry? Are you interested in:
*Defining high-tech industries: What technologies are considered "high-tech" and what industries fall under this umbrella?
*Current trends in the high-tech industry: What are the latest advancements and emerging technologies shaping the industry?
*The economic impact of high-tech: How does the high-tech industry contribute to economic growth and job creation?
*Specific sectors within the high-tech industry: You could be interested in areas like biotech, artificial intelligence, or renewable energy.
(ii) Manufacturing
Answer: Manufacturing, the backbone of economies, transforms raw materials into finished goods. From cars to clothing, it fuels progress and creates jobs. But challenges like automation and globalization demand constant adaptation. Sustainability and innovation are key for future success.
(iii) Footloose industries
Answer: Footloose industries dance where they please! Unburdened by bulky materials or specific resources, these flexible giants can relocate easily. Think tech giants, diamond cutting, or precision equipment makers. Their focus? Skilled labor, efficient transport, and market access. A global ballet of production, powered by innovation and adaptation.
3. Answer the following in not more than 150 words.
(i) Differentiate between primary and secondary activities.
Answer: Delving Deeper: Primary vs. Secondary Activities
While the basic distinction between primary and secondary activities lies in their relationship with raw materials and production stages, their differences reach far beyond. Let's dive deeper and explore these diverse sectors:
Raw Materials and Processing:
- Primary: Extracting or harvesting resources directly from nature, like crops from farms, minerals from mines, or fish from the ocean. Minimal processing occurs, if any.
- Secondary: Transforming raw materials into usable products. This involves extensive manipulation, refining, or fabrication, such as turning lumber into furniture or crude oil into gasoline.
Impact on the Environment:
- Primary: Heavily dependent on natural resources and environmental conditions. Activities like agriculture can alter landscapes, and resource extraction can deplete reserves or pollute.
- Secondary: Can have significant environmental footprints through energy consumption, pollution from manufacturing processes, and waste generation. However, they can also play a role in sustainability by employing cleaner technologies and adopting resource-efficient practices.
Economic Structure and Employment:
- Primary: Often rural-based with smaller farms and family-owned businesses. Labor-intensive, employing large numbers of workers directly dependent on natural resources.
- Secondary: Often concentrated in urban areas or industrial zones, featuring large factories and corporations. More capital-intensive, relying on skilled labor and technological expertise.
Technological Integration:
- Primary: Traditionally slower to adopt new technologies, but advancements in agricultural machinery, precision farming, and resource exploration are changing the landscape.
- Secondary: At the forefront of technological innovation, heavily reliant on automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing techniques. Constant research and development drive progress.
Global Trade and Interdependence:
- Primary: Countries with abundant natural resources often become exporters, while those with limited resources rely on imports. Trade agreements and fluctuations in resource prices can have significant economic impacts.
- Secondary: Globalization has led to extensive international trade in manufactured goods. Supply chains span continents, increasing interdependence and vulnerability to disruptions.
Future Challenges and Opportunities:
- Primary: Sustainable practices, climate change adaptation, and resource depletion pose major challenges for agriculture, forestry, and extractive industries.
- Secondary: Automation, competition from developing economies, and the need for clean manufacturing drive innovation and adaptation in the secondary sector.
In conclusion, understanding the differences between primary and secondary activities is crucial for comprehending economic development, environmental challenges, and global interconnectedness. Both sectors play vital roles, and addressing their unique challenges and opportunities will shape the future of our planet and its economies.
(ii) Discuss the major trends of modern industrial activities especially in
the developed countries of the world.
Answer: Modern industrial activities, especially in developed countries, are undergoing a dramatic transformation driven by technological advancements, globalization, and changing consumer preferences. Here are some key trends:
1. Shift towards high-tech and knowledge-based industries:
- Traditional heavy industries like steel and metalworks are declining, while sectors like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and information technology are booming.
- This shift requires a highly skilled workforce and extensive research and development investments.
2. Automation and robotics:
- Automated machinery and robots are increasingly replacing human labor in repetitive tasks, leading to productivity gains but also job displacement concerns.
- This trend necessitates workforce retraining and adaptation to new skill sets.
3. Global outsourcing and supply chains:
- Production processes are now often fragmented and spread across different countries, seeking the most cost-effective and efficient options.
- This creates complex global supply chains and raises concerns about labor standards and environmental impacts in developing countries.
4. Sustainability and environmental consciousness:
- Growing awareness of climate change and resource depletion is pushing industries towards clean technologies, renewable energy sources, and circular economy practices.
- Consumers are also demanding more sustainable products and ethical production processes.
5. Rise of the "experience economy":
- Industrial activities are increasingly focused on creating experiences rather than just producing goods.
- This involves personalization, customization, and providing services alongside products.
6. Growing importance of intellectual property:
- Patents, copyrights, and trade secrets are becoming increasingly valuable assets for industrial success, leading to intense competition and intellectual property rights battles.
- This highlights the need for strong legal frameworks and protection of innovation.
7. The impact of the digital revolution:
- Digital technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and the internet of things are transforming every aspect of industrial activities, from design and production to marketing and customer service.
- This requires adaptation and continuous upskilling to stay ahead of the curve.
8. Regional specialization and industrial clusters:
- Certain regions are developing clusters of specialized industries, benefiting from synergies, knowledge sharing, and infrastructure.
- This creates innovation hubs and attracts further investment and talent.
9. The role of government and policy:
- Governments play a crucial role in shaping industrial development through regulations, incentives, and research funding.
- Striking a balance between promoting innovation, protecting the environment, and ensuring workers' well-being is a key challenge.
(iii) Explain why high-tech industries in many countries are being attracted
to the peripheral areas of major metropolitan centres
Answer: There are several reasons why high-tech industries are increasingly being attracted to the peripheral areas of major metropolitan centers:
1. Land and Cost:
Lower land costs: Compared to the expensive city centers, peripheral areas offer more affordable land for building spacious campuses and research facilities.
Reduced operational costs: Lower rents, property taxes, and labor costs in these areas can significantly reduce operational expenses for high-tech companies.
2. Talent:
Access to skilled workforce: Major metropolitan centers attract a large pool of skilled professionals and graduates from universities and research institutions. Peripheral areas within reach of these centers can benefit from this talent pool without directly competing for space and resources in the city center.
Improved quality of life: Peripheral areas often offer a more attractive living environment for employees, with lower housing costs, green spaces, and a better work-life balance compared to dense urban centers. This can make it easier to attract and retain talent.
3. Infrastructure and Connectivity:
Developing infrastructure: Many peripheral areas are undergoing infrastructure upgrades, including improved transportation networks, high-speed internet, and modern utilities, making them more attractive for high-tech businesses.
Proximity to urban amenities: While located outside the city center, many peripheral areas are still well-connected to major airports, highways, and urban amenities, ensuring convenient access for employees and business partners.
4. Collaboration and Innovation:
Clusters and ecosystems: Peripheral areas can sometimes host emerging clusters of high-tech companies and research institutions, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
University partnerships: Proximity to universities and research centers can facilitate partnerships and technology transfer, giving high-tech companies access to cutting-edge research and talent.
5. Government incentives:
- Tax breaks and subsidies: Some governments offer tax breaks, subsidies, and other incentives to attract high-tech companies to peripheral areas, promoting economic development and job creation in these regions.
Overall, the combination of cost advantages, access to talent, improving infrastructure, and potential for collaboration make peripheral areas of major metropolitan centers increasingly attractive locations for high-tech industries.
(iv) Africa has immense natural resources and yet it is industrially the most
backward continent. Comment.
Answer: It's true that Africa possesses immense natural resources, encompassing mineral deposits, fertile land, vast forests, and diverse wildlife. Yet, despite this wealth, the continent remains largely industrially backward. This paradox is complex and driven by several factors:
Historical Legacy:
*Colonial exploitation: Colonial rule focused on extracting resources for export, leaving little infrastructure or investment in local industrial development. This dependence on raw material exports persists in many African countries.
*Weak institutions and governance: Political instability, corruption, and lack of effective law enforcement create an uncertain environment for long-term investments and industrial growth.
Economic and infrastructural challenges:
*Poor infrastructure: Inadequate transportation networks, electricity grids, and communication systems hamper the movement of goods and people, hindering efficient industrial production and market access.
*Limited access to finance: Many African countries lack well-developed financial systems, making it difficult for businesses to secure loans and investments for industrial expansion.
*Low skill levels: Skill shortages in technical and managerial areas can constrain industrial development, requiring investment in education and training.
Market and resource management issues:
*Resource curse: The abundance of natural resources can sometimes deter diversification and economic development, leading to reliance on primary commodity exports and volatile income streams.
*Landlocked countries: Access to international markets can be significantly limited for landlocked countries, further hindering industrial growth.
*Weak domestic markets: Small and fragmented domestic markets provide limited demand for manufactured goods, discouraging large-scale industrial production.
Positive trends and potential:
*Recent economic growth: Several African countries have seen significant economic growth in recent years, offering hope for increased investment in industrial sectors.
*Government initiatives: Many African governments are recognizing the need for industrial development and implementing policies to attract investment and improve infrastructure.
*Entrepreneurial spirit: A growing young population and emerging entrepreneurial spirit hold potential for driving new industrial initiatives.
In conclusion, Africa's industrial backwardness is a complex issue with historical, economic, and structural roots. However, positive trends and ongoing efforts hold promise for future development. Overcoming the challenges and harnessing the continent's immense potential will require addressing historical inequalities, strengthening institutions, investing in infrastructure and education, and diversifying economies beyond a reliance on raw material exports.
Project/Activity
(i) Carry out a survey in your school premises of the factory-made goods
used by students and the staff.
Answer:
(ii) Find out the meaning of the terms bio-degradable and nonbiodegradable. Which kind of material is better to use? Why?
Answer:
(iii) Look around and make a list of the global brands, their logos and
products.
Answer:
Questions Type By: Himashree Bora.
