The role of excess capacity in reaching and holding on to success: evidence from Swedish industrial development Online publication date: Mon, 24-Oct-2005
by Ari Kokko
International Journal of Learning and Change (IJLC), Vol. 1, No. 1, 2005
Abstract: During the second half of the 19th century, Sweden was transformed from a poor agricultural economy into an industrial economy with a relatively high level of technology. This development was spearheaded by raw material intensive industries: wood products, pulp and paper, and iron ore. Today, the same industries are still highly competitive and make up a substantial share of the Swedish industrial sector. This article asks how Sweden was able to industrialise so rapidly, and how raw material intensive industries have maintained their competitiveness for over 100 years. We argue that excess capacity in learning, human capital, and institutions account for part of the answers to both questions. We also argue that benchmarking – drawing on the experiences and lessons from competitors and role models – may provide a tool for deciding what kind of excess capacity may be needed to prepare for various challenges in economic and industrial development.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Learning and Change (IJLC):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook