“New” manufacturing industry: the development area factory

Abstract

This thesis considers the industrial aspects of regional policy, in particular the concept of transferring work to the workers. An in depth study, based in the North-East of England, analyses in detail two "new" factories. These factories are studied in terms of the demands made by groups of managers and employees of their employment. These demands are analysed, both through the working agreement, and a categorisation of 'types' of employee and groups of managers. The rational behind such a study is as follows. Links are drawn between the concept of transferring work to the workers and the ideology of "pluralism". It is suggested that the industrial aspects of regional planning have their basis in a pluralist definition of, and solution to the regional problem. Also it is outlined that this pluralist base results in a failure to consider or investigate the details of "new" manufacturing plants. It is assumed by policy makers that "new" industry will solve the regional problem. To rectify such a failing this study of two "new" plants is carried out. Several tentative conclusions suggest criticisms of the simplistic pluralist approach to "new" manufacturing employment. Doubt is also cast upon the accuracy of the pluralist definition of the regional problem.