U.N. Parley in Geneva Hears Report on Israel’s Industrial Growth

Israeli industrial management has had “considerable success” in coping with a labor force that ranges from “former cave dwellers” to modern factory workers, Dr. J. Yanai Tabb, professor of industrial relations at the Technion institute of Technology at Haifa, declared here today. He was one of today’s principal speakers at the United Nations Conference on the Application of Science and Technology for the Benefit of the Less Developed Areas. The parley is being attended by representatives of 193 countries, including Israel, which sent 25 social and physical scientists, educators, economists and sociologists to the parley.

The methods used in less developed countries to infuse manpower into industry, to meet industrial growth, were outlined by Prof. Tabb. Variegated manpower sources, he said, are further complicated by “the general lack of experience of such institutions as Government, trade unions and other organizations” with which management comes into almost daily contact. In addition, he said, management often has to cope with “undue interference” by Government, political parties and trade unions.

In the case of Israel, he said, the Israel Government as well as other organizations and economic institutions, reached agreement on basic objectives, thus eliminating many managerial problems. “All public bodies, ” he said, “were involved in creating a work environment and industrial labor habits, as well as teaching people to take pride in their work. “A productivity center was set up, as well as a program with the objective of improving managerial performance.

Declaring that “sufficient progress” has been made in Israel in the last few years, Dr. Tabb stated: “Our annual rate of growth of 11 percent in gross national product and an increase of productivity per employed person of about six percent” illustrate Israel’s progress, and may serve as a valuable lesson to other countries.

Dr. Leo Picard, professor of geology at the Hebrew University, delivered an address on water resources. Abba Eban, Israel’s Minister of Education and one of the three vice-presidents of the United Nations conference, attended a meeting of conference leaders to plan future UN efforts toward the promotion of science. Others at the meetings were leading representatives of the Soviet Union, Britain, India and Italy. The meeting took place after a dinner given by Dr. Jerome Wiesner, scientific adviser to President Kennedy, who presided at the session.