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Craft versus industry: the division of labour in European housing construction

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  • Linda Clarke
  • Christine Wall

Abstract

Two distinct divisions and concepts of labour are apparent from an analysis of social housebuilding sites in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands: the craft form, based on controlling the output of labour; and the industry form, based on the quality of labour input. These are associated with different work processes, skills and training, and also different levels of mechanization and component prefabrication. In the UK, which is craft-based, low levels of mechanization and prefabrication were found compared with Germany and the Netherlands, and the range of activities for the separate trades in assembling superstructure elements was simpler. Labourers are distinct from craftsmen and remain a significant group. Skills are narrow and training provision low. A high proportion of the labour force remains self-employed, under labour-only subcontractors, working to price or output. In comparison, in Germany and the Netherlands labour is employed directly and work processes are more complex, with more specialisms at the interfaces. The division of labour is industry-wide, training provision is extensive, and skills are broad and integrated into the grading structure. Greater speed, higher productivity and lower levels of supervision are associated with industry-wide systems compared with traditional craft forms.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Clarke & Christine Wall, 2000. "Craft versus industry: the division of labour in European housing construction," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(6), pages 689-698, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:18:y:2000:i:6:p:689-698
    DOI: 10.1080/014461900414745
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marsden, David, 1999. "A Theory of Employment Systems: Micro-Foundations of Societal Diversity," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198294221.
    2. Steedman, Hilary, 1992. "Mathematics in vocational youth training for the building trades in Britain, France and Germany," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 9, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    3. Ansgar Richter, 1998. "Qualifications in the German construction industry: stocks, flows and comparisons with the British construction sector," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(5), pages 581-592.
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    Cited by:

    1. Phillip Toner, 2008. "Survival and Decline of the Apprenticeship System in the Australian and UK Construction Industries," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 46(3), pages 431-438, September.
    2. Andrew R. J. Dainty & Stephen G. Ison & David S. Root, 2005. "Averting the Construction Skills Crisis: A Regional Approach," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 20(1), pages 79-89, February.
    3. Killip, Gavin & Owen, Alice, 2020. "The construction industry as agents of energy demand configuration in the existing housing stock," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    4. Phil Toner, 2006. "Restructuring the Australian Construction Industry and Workforce: Implications for a Sustainable Labour Supply," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 17(1), pages 171-202, September.

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