Britain's last industrial district? A case study of ceramics production

This paper contrasts the theoretical model of flexible specialisation (FS) with recently collected empirical data from the UK ceramic tableware `industrial district', located in Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire. Whereas there are facets of the industry that match the FS thesis, countervailing arguments can be found that discount much of their significance. There is a lack of association between the FS model and the conduct of interorganisational relations, development of production technology and `impannatore’ co-ordination. However, elements of productive organisation, work processes, product variety and regional infrastructure give partial support to the model. In summary, at best partial support can be found for the claim that the tableware `industrial district’ has witnessed large-scale productive and organisational restructuring over the past 10 years.