The United States Shipbuilding Industry and Influences of Conglomerates

This study examines the shipbuilding industry and some of the issues of conglomerate influence. After analyzing the U.S. shipbuilding industry, the author reviews the industrys history in perspective and then identifies and discusses the major governmental participants, policies, and programs. The character of industry is analyzed relative to world shipbuilding and relative to its distribution by major shipbuilders, market sector, and types of vessel produced. He examines the development of conglomerates in the national economy and, more specifically, within the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Six major areas of conglomerate influence on the shipbuilding industry are investigated facility expansion and modernization programs, organizational structure, management philosophy and expertise, Navy shipbuilding claims, power and influence, and financial reporting. An extensive examination of the Navy shipbuilding claims issue is presented because of the impact it has had upon the major U.S. shipbuilding industry market sector.