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Different Trajectories in the Social Divisions of Labour: The Cutlery Industry in Sheffield, England, and Tsubame, Japan

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  • Roger Hayter

    (Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, V5A 1S6)

  • Jerry Patchell

    (Division of Social Sciences, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong)

Abstract

To contribute to the growing debate on the social division of labour and its implications for local development this paper comparatively analyses recent trends in the industrial organisation of the cutlery industry in Sheffield and Tsubame. Both industries evolved as flexibly specialised, export-oriented production systems based on a highly interdependent network of small firms. In the past 20 years, however, the social division of labour underlying Sheffield's cutlery industry has been much reduced in size and complexity while Tsubame has retained, and used, its social division of labour to adjust towards more value-added production. The different trajectories of the two systems reflect different approaches to competitiveness: in Tsubame the emphasis is on innovation; while in Sheffield the industry has been extremely conservative, placing emphasis on minimising costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Roger Hayter & Jerry Patchell, 1993. "Different Trajectories in the Social Divisions of Labour: The Cutlery Industry in Sheffield, England, and Tsubame, Japan," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 30(8), pages 1427-1445, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:30:y:1993:i:8:p:1427-1445
    DOI: 10.1080/00420989320081351
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Waite, David, 1973. "The Economic Significance of Small Firms," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(2), pages 154-166, April.
    2. Asanuma, Banri, 1989. "Manufacturer-supplier relationships in Japan and the concept of relation-specific skill," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 1-30, March.
    3. Banri Asanuma, 1985. "The Contractual Framework for Parts Supply in the Japanese Automotive Industry," Japanese Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(4), pages 54-78.
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