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Agapiou, A (1998) A review of recent developments in construction operative training. Construction Management and Economics, 16(05), 511-20.

Clarke, L and Wall, C (1998) UK construction skills in the context of European developments. Construction Management and Economics, 16(05), 553-67.

Coffey, M and Langford, D A (1998) The propensity for employee participation in construction. Construction Management and Economics, 16(05), 543-52.

Gann, D M and Senker, P (1998) Construction skills training for the next millennium. Construction Management and Economics, 16(05), 569-80.

Jayawardane, A and Gunawardana, N D (1998) Construction workers in developing countries: a case study of Sri Lanka. Construction Management and Economics, 16(05), 521-30.

Richter, A (1998) Qualifications in the German construction industry: stocks, flows and comparisons with the British construction sector. Construction Management and Economics, 16(05), 581-92.

Syben, G (1998) A qualifications trap in the German construction industry: changing the production model and the consequences for the training system in the German construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 16(05), 593-601.

Winch, G (1998) The growth of self-employment in construction. Construction Management and Economics, 16(05), 531-42.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: labour-only sub-contracting; safety; self-employment; productivity; training; UK
  • ISBN/ISSN: 0144-6193
  • URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/014461998372079
  • Abstract:

    This paper explores the issues around the remarkable growth in labour-only sub-contracting on a self-employment basis in the British construction industry over the last 30 years. Following a presentation of the available data from the Department of Employment, the paper explores the reasons behind this remarkable development, and concludes that the main reason for the growth of self-employment since 1977 is the strategic choice of construction companies to emphasize flexibility over productivity as sources of competitive advantage. The paper also explores the implications of this strategic choice, and concludes that, as a result, the ability of the industry to increase productivity and quality is compromised due to the ways in which labour-only sub-contracting and self-employment hinder training and innovation.