In what aspect did technology generally raise productivity in the industrial sector?

Technology generally raised productivity in the industrial sector by decreasing the manual tasks of employees. This advancement meant that machines and automated systems took over repetitive or labor-intensive procedures, allowing human workers to focus on higher-level tasks that required more skill and judgment. As a result, the overall efficiency of production increased, as machines could operate more quickly and accurately than human laborers could do manually.

While the other options suggest potential impacts of technology on productivity, they do not align with the primary way in which technological innovations have historically enhanced industrial productivity. Increasing the workforce is counter to the trend of automation, which often allows fewer workers to achieve greater output. Reducing reliance on machinery contradicts the very premise of industrial advancements, as technology is fundamentally based on enhancing machinery's role in production. Lastly, simplifying job roles might occur, but it is a secondary effect of technology that does not directly address the overall increase in productivity that comes from leveraging machinery to handle manual tasks.