The development of costing in the British chemical industry, c.1870-c.1940

Trevor Boyns, Mark Matthews and John Edwards

Accounting and Business Research, 2004, vol. 34, issue 1, 3-24

Abstract: In order to add to a steadily growing body of knowledge on the development of costing in British firms during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this paper focuses on the chemical industry, one of the ‘new’ industries of the ‘second industrial revolution’. Through an examination of the archival records of a small sample of firms, the development of costing practice is examined and contrasted with the issues surrounding costing discussed in the relevant contemporary literature. The paper therefore throws light on the nature of the process of accounting change and, by examining an industry outside of the staple trades, such as coal or iron and steel, and mechanical engineering, provides a different perspective on the source of ideas surrounding certain costing techniques in Britain — not least, standard costing.

Date: 2004
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DOI: 10.1080/00014788.2004.9729948

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