1991 volume 23(10) pages 1429 – 1445
doi:10.1068/a231429

Cite as:
Gibbs D, Jenkins T, 1991, "A new era of flexibility? Some evidence and problems from the petrochemicals industry" Environment and Planning A 23(10) 1429 – 1445
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A new era of flexibility? Some evidence and problems from the petrochemicals industry

D Gibbs, T Jenkins

Received 24 January 1990; in revised form 26 November 1990

Abstract. The debate over the notion of 'flexibility' has centred around evidence from a small number of industrial sectors. In this paper, the petrochemicals industry is examined for evidence of a shift towards flexibility. It is concluded that there is evidence of both a move towards flexible production and organisation and a move towards the retention of commodity production. In so doing, three problems in the flexibility argument are dealt with; the breakup of mass markets, the potential for small firms, and the engineering-derived nature of the approach.

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