Regional Differentiation and the Scottish Private Housebuilding Sector

Abstract

The British housebuilding industry is considered problematic by the literature. It is perceived to be relatively inefficient and slow to change. How true is the national picture at a regional scale of analysis? Is there a process of industry homogenisation occurring as a result of the growing market penetration of local markets by volume housebuilders? This paper uses new evidence on market shares and evaluation of comparative industry performance at the UK and Scottish level to inform an overall assessment of the nature and extent of regional differentiation of housebuilding. The paper concludes that the development market is standardising around the practices and market extent of the volume housebuilders but that this is occurring alongside the continued strength of local contracting.