The research examines how post-war globalization affected the Dutch shipbuilding industry between 1945 and 1983. It focuses on the development of global external conditions, in particular the increase of international competition in shipbuilding, the connections between Dutch shipbuilding and shipping, and varying levels of government support across shipbuilding countries. Subsequently, it examines the local strategic responses by shipyards to the changing market conditions in order to reconstruct how shipbuilding companies dealt with the challenges of that time and to understand the reasons for the decline of large shipbuilding in the Netherlands. It thereby explores the actions of key decision-makers and the intentions they had when confronted with strong international competition. By taking into account the role of government intervention and the broader maritime network, the research offers insights into the structure of and the relationships within the shipbuilding industry. It therefore connects to research on the development of maritime industries, the resilience of business systems towards globalization, and the effect of business-government relations.
