Christine Myrvang, «Organising affluence: the Norwegian Consumer Council and comparative product testing in the 1950s and 1960s. Technocratic roots and practices», Scandinavian Economic History Review, Volume 59, Issue 2, 2011

Abstract:

«The work of the Consumer Council, established in 1953, can be regarded as the first overall attempt in Norway to organise the capitalist marketplace from the consumers’ point of view. As a source of counter-information to seductive commercial marketing techniques that appealed to people’s hidden desires, the Council aimed to enlighten the consumer with objective expert advice on buying the best value-for-money goods according to their ‘true needs’. The idea of the good and functional market was based neither on planning nor on the complete autonomy of market forces, nor was it opposed to an abundant commodity culture as such. In fact, publishing results from scientific product tests for certain items could be seen as a major contribution to the spread and legitimisation of a modern consumer culture. The article discusses this attempt to organise affluence through the construction of a context-free, objective reality by a scientific bureaucracy of consumption and looks into the historical roots of such practices.»

Fulltekstversjon finner du her.

Full referanse, Christine Myrvang, «Organising affluence: the Norwegian Consumer Council and comparative product testing in the 1950s and 1960s. Technocratic roots and practices», Scandinavian Economic History Review, Volume 59, Issue 2, 2011, pp

Pål Thonstad Sandvik, «Facing oligopoly and protectionism, The fate of small producers in the inter-war nickel industry», Scandinavian Journal of History 2009; Volume 34.(4)

Abstract: »

In the inter-war era international cartels and oligopolies dominated several industries. At the same time trade barriers were increasing. This article explores the fate of two small nickel producers, the Canadian company Falconbridge and the Norwegian Raffineringsverket. Falconbridge operated a nickel refinery in Norway from 1929 onwards. The article shows that small firms could act as ‘free riders’ in the nickel market provided that they had sufficient ore resources, were vertically integrated and had low marginal costs. The article also demonstrates that the Great Depression, widespread rise of protectionism and the move towards autarchy had surprisingly limited impact on the international nickel industry. Somewhat similar developments can be found in several industries. The article thus offers some new perspectives on the growth of the Norwegian exports of metallurgical products and thereby on Norwegian economic performance in the 1930s.»

Fulltekstreferanse finner du her:

Full referanse: Pål Thonstad Sandvik, «Facing oligopoly and protectionism, The fate of small producers in the inter-war nickel industry», Scandinavian Journal of History 2009; Volume 34.(4) s. 376-393