The Percentage Utilisation of Labour Index (PUL)

Abstract

The Index of PUL (= Percentage Utilisation of Labour)² uses a statistically representative Panel of 171 factories and 131,500 operatives at full. It thus refers to the manufacturing industry of Great Britain. It shows the fluctuating intensity of specifically and narrowly human effort per worked hour.³ This entity is typically the basis of all factory planning and hour by hour control.⁴ It is briefly explained in the third paragraph below and at length throughout the fourth section of the chapter.

The possibility of an index of the PUL phenomenon in industry was first suggested by Sydney A. N. Smith-Gavine when he was on the staff of the Department of Political Economy of the University of Aberdeen (having been for a period in industry during his earlier career). Thanks are still due in long retrospect for conditions which made his preliminary work on the project possible. He removed to Leicester Polytechnic in order to be centrally placed for contact with industry. Sincerest thanks are due to the institution for a type of post uniquely favourable to the conduct of the research and for costly secretarial, computing and other services; and also to colleagues in respect of an inevitably heavier lecturing load from time to time.

Smith-Gavine was joined at the outset by Alan J. Bennett of the University of Aston Management Centre who, in a long interim period in his academic career, had been general manager of an aluminium castings undertaking and who still kept in touch with industry through several parttime directorships. Sincere appreciation is expressed to the Centre for assistance with travelling expenses entailed in the research, for a period of sabbatical leave and for encouragement generally.

Mrs Monica Cadwell became the research assistant at the Leicester end of the Index at an early date. It is no exaggeration to say that, without her minutely accurate labours, mathematical clarity of mind and resilience in the frequent times of peak loading, this intensely empirical research project could not have survived through long years until exciting patterns of economic behaviour were slowly unearthed and now continuously monitored. She is de facto a third partner in the research.

An inital grant for a feasibility study from the Economic and Social Research Council is recalled with gratitude from the time when the Index was about to be started.

The Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust, who have provided continuous funds from an early date, have recently again extended these further in time. The nature of an Index is that it should be absolutely unbroken and comparable through the years. It is, therefore, the unfailing character of the generosity of the Esmee Fairbairn trust which makes this additional source of prime economic data possible.

Finally, the sincerest appreciation is due to the Panel of factories who have supplied, month in and month out, the statistics—routine in factories but novel and tell-tale in the world of macroeconomists and the authorities—of which the Index quite simply consists.

Several times a year—determined by statistical considerations—Bulletins To Co-operating Firms of about 35 pages each are produced. These arc intended also for general readership in the political, academic, civil service and journalistic, etc. spheres. No charge is made, and the authors would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to be put on the mailing list. The address of Leicester Polytechnic is The Newarkes, Leicester LEI 9BH (telephone 0533–858643); and of the University of Aston Management Centre, Nelson Building, Gosta Green, Birmingham B4 7ET (telephone 021–359-3611).

The Index of PUL is not associated with any school of political or economic thought.