 Defence contractors and diversification into the civil sector: Rolls-Royce, 1945-2005David Smith Business History, 2007, vol. 49, issue 5, 669-694 Abstract: A number of studies have shown that defence contractors have exhibited a marked reluctance to diversify away from defence and develop civil applications. However, the aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is one defence contractor to which this does not apply. Over a 60-year period it has moved from being almost entirely dependent on defence work to a point where defence now constitutes barely one-fifth of its turnover. This article examines the development of the company's civil aerospace business over the period since 1945. It focuses specifically on the strategies used by Rolls-Royce in the civil aerospace field. These strategies are explored in the context of changes in market conditions, technology, and governance arrangements. The effectiveness of the various strategies, including their contribution to the company's current position, is evaluated. Keywords: Aerospace Industry; Defence Diversification; Strategy; Technology; Gas Turbine; Rolls-Royce (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:bushst:v:49:y:2007:i:5:p:669-694 Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from DOI: 10.1080/00076790701428661 Access Statistics for this article Business History is currently edited by Professor John Wilson and Professor Steven Toms More articles in Business History from Taylor & Francis Journals |
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