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The Uneven Geographies of Informal Economic Activities: a Case Study of Two British Cities

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  • Colin C. Williams

    (University of Leicester, UK ccw3@le.ac.uk)

  • Jan Windebank

    (University of Sheffield, UK J.Windebank@sheffield.ac.uk)

Abstract

This article explores the uneven geographies of informal economic activities. Drawing upon 511 interviews conducted in higher- and lower-income neighbourhoods of one affluent and one deprived city in Britain, we explore whether the capabilities of households to perform necessary work and household work practices vary across space. We reveal not only the ways in which household work capabilities and practices vary between areas, but also the complex spatial variations in the extent, character and reasons for households participating in self-provisioning, mutual aid and paid informal work. To conclude, we explore the implications of our findings both for understanding uneven development and for policy making.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin C. Williams & Jan Windebank, 2002. "The Uneven Geographies of Informal Economic Activities: a Case Study of Two British Cities," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 16(2), pages 231-250, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:16:y:2002:i:2:p:231-250
    DOI: 10.1177/095001702400426820
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bernard Fortin & Gaétan Garneau & Guy Lacroix & Thomas Lemieux & Claude Montmarquette, 1996. "L'économie souterraine au Québec : Mythes et réalités," CIRANO Monographs, CIRANO, number 1996mo-01, January.
    2. Peter Sunley & Ron Martin, 2000. "The Geographies of the National Minimum Wage," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 32(10), pages 1735-1758, October.
    3. Colin Williams & Jan Windebank, 2001. "Reconceptualising Paid Informal Exchange: Some Lessons from English Cities," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 33(1), pages 121-140, January.
    4. Sen, Amartya, 1995. "Inequality Reexamined," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198289289.
    5. Sen, Amartya, 1999. "Commodities and Capabilities," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195650389.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andriotis, Konstantinos, 2016. "Beggars–tourists' interactions: An unobtrusive typological approach," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 64-73.
    2. Pankaj C. Patel & Cornelius A. Rietveld & Jack I. Richter, 2022. "The relation between public assistance and self-employment in census tracts: a long-term perspective," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 891-927, July.
    3. Ian Clark & Trevor Colling, 2018. "Work in Britain's Informal Economy: Learning from Road†Side Hand Car Washes," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 56(2), pages 320-341, June.
    4. Jean Gardiner & Mark Stuart & Robert MacKenzie & Chris Forde & Ian Greenwood & Rob Perrett, 2009. "Redundancy as a critical life event," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 23(4), pages 727-745, December.
    5. Stef Adriaenssens & Jef Hendrickx, 2011. "Street-level Informal Economic Activities: Estimating the Yield of Begging in Brussels," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 48(1), pages 23-40, January.

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