Enterprise and technology. The German and British steel industries, 1865-1895

Notes:

Published in the German language 1986. Based on a thesis, presented in 1982, to Technische Hochschule Darmstaadt. Deals with last 30 years of 19th century when compares the experience of the German and British steel industries, especially in terms of strategy and technical progress, in order to assess 'the relative efficiency and capacity for innovation of the ... industries, and the entrepreneurs who led them'. Focuses especially on British entrepreneurial decline. Has following structure: 1] 'Technology of late nineteenth century steel making' - puddling process/ crucible steel/ Bessemer process/ Thomas process/ open hearth process; 2] 'Expanding into the slump' [ie 1870s and 80s depression] - sales prospects for the early Bessemer works/ economic development during the 1870s/ supply potential and market absorption; 3] 'Surmounting the slump - the individual strategies of firms' - rationalisation/ Krupp case study/ rapid driving versus fuel economy/ the modus operandi of the rationalisation strategies/ the export safety valve; 4] Surmounting the slump - collective strategies' - dumping, tariffs and cartel formation in Germany/ dumping and cost accounting/ temporary recovery of the rails market, 1879-82/ the last solution - an international cartel; 5] 'New processes and new markets' - basic Bessemer steel/ open hearth steel; 6] 'Efficiency and capacity to innovate' - entrepreneurial decline and steel. The British debate/ precarious protectionist measures versus entrepreneurial autonomy. Refers to many British iron and steel businesses but notably - Bolckow Vaughan & Co, Dowlais; Landore Steel Co, North Eastern Steel Co