Constructing an 'industry': the case of industrial gases, 1886–2006

Stokes, R. and Banken, R. (2015) Constructing an 'industry': the case of industrial gases, 1886–2006. Business History, 57(5), pp. 688-704. (doi: 10.1080/00076791.2014.975123)

Abstract

Historically minded social scientists who analyse business and industrial development over time – including business historians – often deploy the term ‘industry’ as if its meaning were both self-evident and unchanging through time. This article uses the case of the international industrial gases industry over the course of 12 decades to demonstrate some ways in which a more critical and dynamic view of ‘industry’ – in combination with recognition of the imperfect overlap between firms on the one hand and industries on the other – enables better understanding and analysis of both.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stokes, Professor Ray
• Authors: Stokes, R., and Banken, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Economic and Social History
• Journal Name: Business History
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0007-6791
• ISSN (Online): 1743-7938
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Taylor and Francis
• First Published: First published in Business History 57(5):688-704
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.