Two major developments in the last quarter of the 20th century have changed employment for all of us?

• A. Globalization of commerce alone
• B. Globalization of commerce and expansive growth of technology
• C. Growth of agriculture
• D. Increased physical labor

Answer: (B)

Two forces reshaped job markets in the last quarter of the 20th century: globalization of commerce and the rapid expansion of technology. As global trade expanded and companies connected production and services across borders, work became more dispersed and tasks were moved to locations where costs and efficiencies were best. At the same time, dramatic advances in technology—computers, networking, software, and automation—changed how work is done, what skills are valued, and which industries grow or shrink. Put together, these forces increased the demand for workers who can manage information, use tech-enabled processes, and operate in globally connected environments, while reducing demand for routine, manual, or location-bound tasks. That combination explains why employment changed for many people across many sectors.

Growth of agriculture or increased physical labor don’t fit the broader shift. Agriculture didn’t drive employment changes across all industries in that era, and overall trends moved away from more physical, labor-intensive work toward automation and knowledge- or service-based roles, reinforced by global connectivity.