The quaternary sector it is economic activity based on knowledge or intellect. This involves all work that is conceived, created, interpreted, organized, directed and transmitted with the help and support of both technical and scientific knowledge..
Known as the fourth industrial revolution, technology is fundamentally affecting the way people live and is blurring the line between physical and digital activities. The quaternary sector is emerging and disrupting most of the major industries in all countries.
The basis of this type of activity is creation. It is the sector of the mind, knowledge and skill. Creates value for society from applications of technology or human ingenuity.
From an economic perspective, the quaternary sector is an additional delimitation of the tertiary sector, that is, the economic activities that make up the quaternary sector also belong to the tertiary activities.
The theory explains that there are three sectors of the economy and a fourth, the quaternary, arises when the country reaches a certain degree of development.
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The novelty of this sector means that on many occasions one is not totally sure of the characteristics it has. However, its main characteristic is that its economic activities are linked to knowledge. Others are:
- Developed countries and large companies are the ones that lead this sector.
- These are tasks that until now are impossible to automate, which generally seek the greatest innovation, intensive in research and capital..
- The workers are usually highly qualified and trained. In addition, it is a sector that tends to provide high salaries, which encourages it to be closely related to developed nations..
- Development and research are usually the activities most identified in this sector.
- Works with the other sectors of the economy.
- Service-like activities are included, such as teaching.
- It disrupts many labor markets.
- Its activities are closely linked with the tertiary sector, seeking through research that this sector has a higher production.
The quaternary sector influences the secondary and primary sectors, such as mining or agricultural advances. Thanks to the actions of the quaternary sector, many traditional industries of the secondary and primary sector have managed to develop, thus adjusting to the new times..
Although it is true that this sector is more prevalent in countries where this type of activity is promoted and people do not live in a state of mere subsistence, being able to engage in intellectual activities, several developing countries also have important quaternary activities.
It is the activity that is most closely related to this sector, entering into this category all the tasks that are based on research in different branches, such as science or medicine, achieving to a great extent that a country progresses.
There is a growing tendency to position teachers as workers in this sector, although it is difficult to visualize the line that separates education from the quaternary and tertiary sectors.
Education in this sector is very relevant, because an excellent education is required due to the high level of training that employees have.
They are all tasks that are related to a lesser or greater degree with communications. These tasks can vary greatly between segments or functions..
The appearance and continuous improvement of new technologies has generated the need for a group of people with the ability to develop and research these issues. These people are located among the activities of the quaternary sector.
Consulting is also found in the quaternary sector, since it is an activity that requires the analysis of information and knowledge.
With the automation of jobs, the activities of the quaternary sector take on greater prominence. Thanks to technological advances, many tasks in primary (agriculture), secondary (industry) and even service sector activities have been mechanized.
For example, the use of machinery, fertilizers and modern cultivation techniques in agriculture have produced an increase in total agricultural production, while demanding less human labor..
Although it does not stand out much worldwide, the quaternary sector of Mexico is consolidated, continuously emerging new initiatives that use the knowledge economy and information technologies. For example:
Provides logistics and cargo transportation services. It offers the delivery by air of letters and packages in the indicated direction, as well as services of electronic invoicing, management of the chain of supply, tracking and payments. Serves clients throughout Mexico.
Although this company is a mattress factory, it has applied the Internet of Things technology in its industrial processes, allowing it to obtain remarkable results in the performance of its assembly line..
They designed plates with sensors for the passage of raw materials, to detect the service to the engines or to communicate the wear of components in the equipment, allowing the IT area to obtain very specific information for each equipment.
It is the leader in human capital solutions and services. Daily connects more than 500,000 people with formal employment, in a wide range of industries and skills.
Faces the challenges of human capital, both in permanent and temporary staff, as well as in outsourcing, development and talent management.
It provides telecommunications and information technology services, focusing on the business segment. It has a fiber optic network of more than 20,000 kilometers, in addition to having two concessions for the public telecommunications network and eight wireless.
In Colombia, different kinds of jobs are handled within the quaternary sector, such as telecommunications, education, tourism and finance..
Information technologies are very important, because Colombia has the fastest growing information technology industry in the world. The government has launched a campaign to promote the electronics and IT sectors, also investing in local companies.
Although global innovation continues to be low, a great potential can be observed in the high technology industry, since strong investments are being made in innovation and education centers throughout Colombia.
This Colombian company provides software services for different international markets, such as Latin America and the United States. It is one of the largest software developers in the country.
It is the first Latin American software company to obtain the Software Processes Achievement Award, granted by the IEEE Computer Society. In addition, it was selected to be included in the list of the 100 Global Outsourcing, prepared by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals..
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