ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book links Post-Fordist and feminist theoretical perspectives in order to explore the implications of economic restructuring in the workplace for gender relations. It examines the Institutionalist and Regulationist theories of economic restructuring and also explores the stages of economic development which preceded the new mode of production, paying particular attention to the Fordist phase and explanations for its rise and decline. The book focuses on existing feminist theoretical knowledge, particularly that concerned with gender relations and the labour market, to develop a series of theoretical arguments concerning the implications of economic restructuring for gender relations. It outlines the key characteristics of the clothing sector in Nottinghamshire, and explains the choice of the sector and locality. The extent to which team working encourages an expansion of numerical flexibility is examined, particular attention being paid to the level of redundancies and part-time work.
