Contest for Control: Metal Industries in Sheffield, Solingen, Remscheid and Eskilstuna during Industrialisation

(Hardback)

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Description

This study of a specific industry's survival and growth in three countries is a useful resource for research on industrial development in 19th century Europe. Presenting the history of three major cutlery districts in Western Europe during the 19th century - Sheffield in England, Bergische land (Solingen and Remscheid) in Germany, and Eskilstuna in Sweden - the author focuses on each region's industrial development in relation to its socio-cultural context. This work challenges the flexible specialisation thesis often used to explain the seeming persistence of small-scale and decentralised production within the cutlery industry since the 19th century, and argues that growing businesses had to develop competitive strategies for control over important resources.

Reviews

'Theoretical considerations and historical data are blended with great skill in this study, which will take its place as a major contribution to the "industry before industrialisation" debate.' Business History

Author Bio

Lars Magnusson Professor and Chair,Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden