Abstracts – Browse Results

Search or browse again.

Click on the titles below to expand the information about each abstract.
Viewing 9 results ...

Clarke, L and Wall, C (2000) Craft versus industry: the division of labour in European housing construction. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 689-98.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: craft; Europe; housebuilding; skills; training
  • ISBN/ISSN: 0144-6193
  • URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/014461900414745
  • 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 sub-contractors, 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.

Druker, J and Croucher, R (2000) National collective bargaining and employment flexibility in the European building and civil engineering industries. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 699-709.

Guffond, J-L and Leconte, G (2000) Developing construction logistics management: the French experience. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 679-87.

Henry, E (2000) Quality management standardization in the French construction industry: singularities and internationalization prospects. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 667-77.

Huemer, L and Östergren, K (2000) Strategic change and organizational learning in two 'Swedish' construction firms. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 635-42.

Janssen, J (2000) The European construction industry�s competitiveness: a construct of the European Commission. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 711-20.

Mahmoud-Jouini, S B (2000) Innovative supply-based strategies in the construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 643-50.

Micelli, E (2000) Mobilizing the skills of specialist firms to reduce costs and enhance performance in the European construction industry: two case studies. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 651-6.

Proverbs, D G and Holt, G D (2000) A theoretical model for optimum project (time) performance based on European best practice. Construction Management and Economics, 18(06), 657-65.