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Managerial ideology and identity in the nationalised British coal industry, 1947–1994

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew Perchard

    (Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, UK)

  • Keith Gildart

    (Centre for Historical Research, University of Wolverhampton, UK)

Abstract

This article examines managerial ideology and identity in the nationalised British coal industry. On nationalisation in 1947, the National Coal Board (NCB) – after 1987 the British Coal Corporation – became the largest socialised industry outside of the Communist bloc. Privatised in 1994, as part of liberal market reforms, the industry was a crucible for ideological clashes amongst managers. The article responds to interest in the impact of managerial ideologies and identities on organisations and in the search for illuminating historical case studies in different organisational settings. The authors position those ideological clashes, and distinctive managerial identities, within a moral economic framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Perchard & Keith Gildart, 2023. "Managerial ideology and identity in the nationalised British coal industry, 1947–1994," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(1), pages 230-261, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:44:y:2023:i:1:p:230-261
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X211069413
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Quentin Outram, 2025. "The moral economy of the rich," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(1), pages 49-74, February.
    2. Andrew Perchard & Darren McGuire & Knut Laaser & Keith Gildart & Anya Kaufman & Robert McMaster & Ben Curtis, 2025. "Moral economy at the crossroads of history and social science: Finding Customs in Common?," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(1), pages 3-13, February.
    3. Andrew DA Smith & Kevin D Tennent, 2025. "The employee representation plan movement in the United States 1913–1935: The attempted legitimation of novel organizational forms," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 46(4), pages 1135-1163, November.

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