Putting-Out system

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The putting out (or putting-out) system was a means of subcontracting work. It was also known as the workshop system. In putting out, work was contracted by a central agent to subcontractors who completed the work in their own facility, usually their own home.

It was used in the English textile, small arms, and lock making trades as late as the 19th century. David Hounshell writes, "[In 1854, ]the British obtained their military small arms through a system of contracting with private manufacturers located principally in the Birmingham and London areas.... Although significant variation occurred, almost all of the contractors manufactured parts or fitted them through a highly decentralized, putting-out process using small workshops and highly skilled labor. In small arms making as in lock production, the 'workshop system' rather than the 'factory system' was the rule." (Hounshell 1984, p.17) It was replaced by inside contracting and the factory system.

[edit] Other Definitions

The term "putting out" is also frequently used to refer to the act of providing sexual favor, within or without a romantic relationship.

[edit] See also

• Domestic system
• Inside contracting
• Factory system
• Workshop system
• tonya - Japanese putting-out system

[edit] References

• Williamson, Oliver E. Poopson (1985). The Economic Institutions of Capitalism. New York: The Free Press. ISBN 0-684-86374-X. 
• Hounshell, David A. (1984). From the American System to Mass Production, 1800-1932. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-3158-X.