Growth and transition in the Cleveland iron and steel industry, 1850 to 1914
The dramatic expansion of the iron industry in Cleveland from 1850 propelled the district briefly to the position of the worldâs largest iron-producing centre and brought about the formation of a major industrial cluster in a previously unindustrialised area. By the end of the 1870s, however, its prosperity was threatened by developments in steel-production technology and the growth of iron and steel output in the US and Germany. The first part of this thesis examines the initial development and early expansion of the industry. Using a data set of firms that entered the iron and related sectors between 1850 and 1880, the study assesses the contribution of business networks to growth. It is suggested that an important part was played by an existing network of Darlington-based Quaker business interests, and that development may have taken a different form without the presence of the network. The second part investigates the transition of the industry from the 1870s to 1914 to determine how effectively the districtâs firms responded to significant changes in technology, international competition, corporate legislation and financial markets. The study finds that some firms did adapt and grow, and the district
James, Stephen
Growth and transition in the Cleveland iron and steel industry, 1850 to 1914. The dramatic expansion of the iron industry in Cleveland from 1850 propelled the district briefly to the position of the worldâs largest iron-producing centre and brought about the formation of a major industrial cluster in a previously unindustrialised area. By the end of the 1870s, however, its prosperity was threatened by developments in steel-production technology and the growth of iron and steel output in the US and Germany. The first part of this thesis examines the initial development and early expansion of the industry. Using a data set of firms that entered the iron and related sectors between 1850 and 1880, the study assesses the contribution of business networks to growth. It is suggested that an important part was played by an existing network of Darlington-based Quaker business interests, and that development may have taken a different form without the presence of the network. The second part investigates the transition of the industry from the 1870s to 1914 to determine how effectively the districtâs firms responded to significant changes in technology, international competition, corporate legislation and financial markets. The study finds that some firms did adapt and grow, and the district
growth transition iron_steel industry dramatic expansion iron_industry propel district briefly position world large iron producing centre bring formation major industrial cluster previously area however prosperity threaten development steel production technology growth iron_steel output germany first_part examine initial development early expansion industry using_data set firm enter iron related sector study ass business network growth suggest important_part play exist network based quaker business interest development may_take different_form without presence network second_part investigate transition industry determine effectively district firm respond significant_change technology international competition corporate legislation financial market study find firm adapt grow district