Padfield, Maureen (1990) Out in the trade : the occupational community of Birmingham's jewellery quarter. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham has its base in
small interdependent workshop craft production in a
long-established location for which the concept of
occupational community appeared an appropriate research
tool. The ahistorical approach of studies of
occupational communities is critically addressed and it
is argued that the theory of occupational community can
be deployed historically to investigate the particular
conditions of the Jewellery Quarter and explain the
construction of these over time.
The origins of the industry in Birmingham are
investigated in detail and the patterns of localisation
together with the structure and organisation of the
industry in the nineteenth century are analysed. The
establishment of the local formal institutions which
developed to support the industry is traced.
An account is given of redevelopment, refurbishment,
and recession in the post-war era. The current location
of firms in the area is analysed, together with the
organisation of work in the local industry.
The occupational community of the Jewellery Quarter is
described and analysed. The nature of interdependence,
the daily interaction and the role of family are
explained. The concept of work-in-leisure is discussed
in relation to the Jewellery Quarter.
The formal methods of recruitment to the local industry
are reviewed against the needs of the local industry,
and it is shown how the community itself acts as an
informal channel of recruitment. The ambiguities
surrounding women's employment in the industry are
explored. While women are still concentrated in
low-paid, low skilled work, it is argued that
historically they have also been present as owners and
craftswomen, and the factors which enable this are
analysed.
The methodology used in the study is detailed and the
link between the methodology and concept of
occupational community is discussed. In this study the
broad use of the theory of occupational community has
shown how the historical pattern continues to influence
the community. Finally it is argued that the study
contributes to the current debate on small firm
survival and persistence.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Jewelry trade -- England -- Birmingham, Birmingham (England) -- Economic conditions
Official Date:	January 1990
Dates:	Date Event January 1990 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Sociology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Procter, Ian, 1947-
Sponsors:	University of Warwick
Extent:	[8], 342, [68] leaves
Language:	eng

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