The growth and development of Sheffield's industrial structure, 1880-1930
Sheffield presents an ideal location for a study of the structure and performance of a major industrial sector, iron and steel, in the crucial years 1880-1930. The major emphasis of this work is on the structure and strategy of Sheffield's industries which faced increasing competitive constraints in this period. Thus, the response of the firm to change is examined by studying business development both from the point of view of individual firms and from the view of firms as part of a wider business system. The former is achieved by developing a theory of business strategy which aids the understanding of managerial decision making and the internal and external constraints on development. The latter, however, requires a reconstruction of Sheffield's iron and steel industry, which is undertaken for the period 1880-1901, and identifies the structural characteristics of the industry. The retention of a structure of small-scale firms is clearly illustrated, especially in cutlery, and this in turn shaped the the competitive strategy of the firm in relation to market and resource development. For example, the issue of managing the firm's labour input, in terms of a skilled workforce, was a key area for management,
Lewis, M. J.
History
The growth and development of Sheffield's industrial structure, 1880-1930. Sheffield presents an ideal location for a study of the structure and performance of a major industrial sector, iron and steel, in the crucial years 1880-1930. The major emphasis of this work is on the structure and strategy of Sheffield's industries which faced increasing competitive constraints in this period. Thus, the response of the firm to change is examined by studying business development both from the point of view of individual firms and from the view of firms as part of a wider business system. The former is achieved by developing a theory of business strategy which aids the understanding of managerial decision making and the internal and external constraints on development. The latter, however, requires a reconstruction of Sheffield's iron and steel industry, which is undertaken for the period 1880-1901, and identifies the structural characteristics of the industry. The retention of a structure of small-scale firms is clearly illustrated, especially in cutlery, and this in turn shaped the the competitive strategy of the firm in relation to market and resource development. For example, the issue of managing the firm's labour input, in terms of a skilled workforce, was a key area for management,
growth development sheffield industrial structure sheffield present ideal location study structure performance major industrial sector iron_steel crucial major emphasis work structure strategy sheffield industry face increase competitive constraint period thus response firm change examine study business development point_view individual firm view firm part_wider business system former achieve develop_theory business strategy aid managerial decision_make internal_external constraint development latter however require reconstruction sheffield iron_steel industry undertaken period identify structural characteristic industry retention structure small_scale firm clearly illustrate especially turn shape competitive strategy firm relation market resource development example issue manage firm labour input term skilled workforce key_area management