Around 1870, the Dutch shipbuilding industry engaged in the construction of large seagoing vessels was at an all-time low. The shipyards were unable to adapt to the changing market, which demanded both larger ships and steam-powered iron and steel vessels. The shipyards lacked both the experience to build the new types of ships and the capital to invest in proper management and knowledge. Their facilities were too small. When government subsidies ended, most of the often century-old shipyards disappeared. Dutch shipping companies ordered their ships in Britain. Gradually the situation changed. Innovative entrepreneurs, often involved in engineering and construction, established modern shipyards in convenient locations. These new shipyards were usually limited companies that could attract sufficient capital for the necessary investments. By 1914, Dutch shipbuilding had gained a substantial share of the growing international market.
The research focuses on the factors of success and loss in the Dutch shipbuilding industry during the period 1870-1914. The study analyzes changes in production practices and output. Then it addresses four factors: 1. location of the shipyards; 2. entrepreneurship and the role of government; 3. knowledge and innovation.
