Industrial composition, methods of compensation, and real earnings in the Great Depression

Citation

Hart RA & Roberts JE (2013) Industrial composition, methods of compensation, and real earnings in the Great Depression. Stirling Economics Discussion Paper, 2013-03. http://www.management.stir.ac.uk/research/economics/working-papers

Abstract
In an extension of an earlier paper (Hart and Roberts, 2012), we investigate the pay and working time of blue-collar timeworkers and pieceworkers during the Great Depression within British engineering firms. We compare and contrast southern/midland engineering districts of Britain with northern districts. The south/midlands region was dominated by piece-rated workers and by modern sections of the industry, such as vehicle and aircraft manufacture. Time-rated work predominated in northern districts where older sections – for example, marine and textile engineering – were clustered. These contrasting industrial compositions and associated payment methods offer further insights into manufacturing real earnings responses to the Great Depression.

Keywords
Industrial composition; piecework; timework; real earnings; the Great Depression

JEL codes

• E32: Business Fluctuations; Cycles
• J31: Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
• J33: Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
• N64: Economic History: Manufacturing and Construction: Europe: 1913-