Industrial Activity: Key Concepts and Definitions

Industrial Activity

The set of processes and activities that aim to transform raw materials into finished products in bulk.

Company

An organization or institution engaged in economic and commercial activities.

Nuclear Fission

The currently used process that comes from the fission, or separation, of heavy atoms, such as uranium.

Renewable Energy Source

Sources that are inexhaustible because they generate energy without disappearing, allowing for indefinite use, such as water or heat from the sun.

Hydropower

The production of energy through the power of water. Reservoir water is channeled through a pipeline and used to move turbines connected to a generator, converting mechanical power into electricity.

Technology Industry or High-Tech Industry

These industries are characterized by high technology, high differentiation, and high demand. In Spain, these industries have been established and are located in technology parks near cities, aiming to act as engines of local development.

Industry and Consumer Use

Industries that use raw materials from heavy industries or the primary sector, transforming them into products ready for use and consumption (e.g., textiles, food, light chemicals).

Raw Materials

The resources that industry transforms into processed or semi-processed products.

Industrial Area

A territorial space in which a number of industrial activities are grouped. These activities may or may not be related but share a set of common services.

Mass Production

A form of industrial production based on the assembly line, a production organization method that delegates a specific function to each employee and utilizes specialized, highly developed machines. This system is also known as the Fordist system.

Industrial Restructuring

Acting in a short period on declining industries, making the necessary adjustments to ensure their viability and competitiveness.

Dynamic Sectors

Industries with high expectations for the future due to their high productivity, specialization, and almost assured demand (e.g., automotive, chemical).

Mature Industries

Industries that are very demanding in terms of technology, consumer and labor resources, and must compete by offering low prices. They are being affected by lower demand and competitiveness. EU policy also requires a reduction in production and the elimination of subsidies. Examples include:

• Metallurgy
• Electrical appliances
• Shipbuilding
• Textiles
• Footwear