Title: Rhetoric of a troubled industry: the case of the Dundee jute industry during the inter-war period

Authors: Swapnesh Masrani; Ryan Parks; Peter McKiernan

Addresses: School of Management, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK ' Bissett School of Business, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate, SW Calgary, Alberta T3E 6K6, Canada ' Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XQ, UK

Abstract: This study examines the rhetorical strategies deployed by supporters of the Dundee jute industry (DJI) during the legislative debate surrounding British trade policy of the inter-war period. It conducts a content analysis of the House of Commons debate on 2 February, 1938 on a motion entitled 'Importations from Overseas'. This debate highlights the position and the rhetorical strategies of the jute industry through its parliamentary surrogates. Analysis suggests that rhetorical strategies challenged policy, while avoiding a direct or explicit challenge to the dominant institutional logic of free trade. This study also furthers our understanding of government-industry relations in the jute industry during the inter-war period.

Keywords: rhetoric; protectionism; free trade; institutional logic; legitimacy; international competition; trade policy; Dundee; jute industry; inter-war years; Soctland; content analysis; House of Commons; government-industry relations; political debate.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMCP.2014.063850

International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, 2014 Vol.8 No.2/3, pp.141 - 155

Published online: 23 Jul 2014 *

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