Developing analytical tools to identify the Fordian model

Developing analytical tools to identify the ‘Fordian model’ in Europe Michel Freyssenet (CNRS Paris and GERPISA-international network) Bordeaux Conference, 14 -15 november 2003 FORD, 1903 -2003, The European History University of Bordeaux IV

A daunting task : defining the widely used concept of Fordism 1. The urgency of eliminating any vagueness 2. A proposal of several clarifications 3. The conditions of durable viability of a ‘volume’ profit strategy 4. An analytical definition of the ‘Fordian’ model

1. The urgency of eliminating any vagueness • People use the expression “Fordism” indiscriminately nowadays to talk about a plethora of things • The traits attributed to Fordism are not specific • Is Fordism a combination of the aforementioned traits ? • In this case, which traits are necessary and sufficient ?

2. A proposal of several clarifications • Taylorism and Fordism are neither the origin of the separation between design and execution, nor its culmination • The post-war growth was ‘sloanist’ and not ‘fordist’ • Fordism isn’t the unique way to implement a ‘volume’ profit strategy

3. The restrictive conditions of durable viability of a ‘volume’ profit strategy • Why the Ford production system isn’t the “Fordian model” ? • Conditions and requirements of a ‘volume’ profit strategy

‘Volume’ profit strategy, 1 Characteristics Economies of scale trough sales of increasing quantities of standard models

‘Volume’ profit strategy, 2 Conditions of possibility Requirements to implement • Homogeneous and rising markets • Offering a product that satisfies basic individual transport needs • Standardisation and fluidification of production • Get people to accept little differentiated work • Abundant and unionised workers

4. An analytical definition of the ‘Fordian’ model • The ‘Fordian model’ • … distinct from ‘Taylorian’ and ‘Sloanian’ models

Conclusion : to decide which carmakers were ‘fordian’, three questions should be answered • Was it the mode of national income growth that enabled a “volume” strategy to be pursued ? • Which were the carmakers actually trying to pursue this strategy ? • Which ones succeeded by adopting the means the Fordian model offers, and by convincing concerned parties to accept those means ?