Final answer:
The production method that uses computer technology to enhance U.S. global competitiveness is advanced manufacturing, which incorporates computerized systems and robots. Technological advancements, particularly in computing, have transformed the economy by reducing manual labor, changing the nature of industries, and supporting global supply chains. Technological innovation, as evidenced by the issuance of patents, also contributes to this competitive edge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The production method that uses computer technology to make the United States more competitive globally is known as advanced manufacturing. This method relies heavily on the use of computerized systems and robots to increase efficiency, productivity, and precision in manufacturing processes. As a result, the U.S. has gained a competitive edge in the high-tech capital equipment sector, which is a part of why the country has seen growth in net exports.
Furthermore, the transition to an information economy has decreased the need for manual labor in factories and has propelled industries towards more virtual platforms, with the Internet fostering online-only industries. Technological advances have also changed the way goods are produced and distributed, such as in the music and film industries where physical CDs and DVDs have been largely replaced by digital streaming and downloads.
An increase in computer use has been crucial for supporting complex global assembly lines, where products like Apple's Mac are designed in the United States, have components manufactured in various countries, are assembled in others, and may have tech support provided from different parts of the world. This global integration highlights the importance of advanced manufacturing methods to maintain a strong competitive position internationally.
Increasingly sophisticated technology and a rise in technological innovation, underscored by the issuance of patents, underscores the modern U.S. economy's edge. With educated workers equipped with better physical capital and advanced technologies, the United States continues to strengthen its global competitiveness.