Organised Capital: Employers' Associations and Industrial Relations in Northern England, 1880 - 1939

This detailed new study--the first academic monograph on the history of British employers' organizations--develops a much-neglected theme in social history. Using previously untapped primary sources, Organised Capital explores these institutions from a regional, comparative perspective, analyzing their growth and activities during their heyday, and challenging current interpretations of employers' groups. Arthur McIvor's study will be of interest both to historians and to students of industrial relations. This detailed 1996 study contributes to an expanding field of interest: the social history of industrial employers. Using previously untapped primary sources, Organised Capital explores the emergence of employers' organisations in northern England and analyses their policies during the heyday of collective activity. Arthur McIvor evaluates the impact of trade unionism, state intervention, war, economic recession and changing product markets on these organisations, charting their role and patterns of growth. He challenges notions of a monolithic employer group and crude economic determinism, while also rejecting 'revisionist' accounts of weak and ineffective employers. Instead, he reaches a more balanced appraisal of these institutions' role in capital-labour relations and the pursuit of employers' class interests. This book will be of interest both to historians and to students of industrial relations This detailed new study - the first academic monograph on the history of British employers' organisations - develops a much-neglected theme in social history. Using previously untapped primary sources, Organised Capital explores these institutions from a regional, comparative perspective, analysing their growth and activities during their heyday, and challenging current interpretations of employers' groups. Arthur McIvor's study will be of interest both to historians and to students of industrial relations. This detailed new study contributes to an expanding field of interest: the social history of industrial employers. This book explores the emergence of employers' organisations in Northern England, charting their growth, activities and policies Using previously untapped sources, in this 1996 book Arthur McIvor examines employers' organisations from a regional perspective, analysing their growth and activities. Arthur Mcivor. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.