Vierteljahrschrift für Sozial- und Wirtschaftsgeschichte
ABSTRACT Based upon the theory of "Flexible Specialization" this article recons... more ABSTRACT Based upon the theory of "Flexible Specialization" this article reconsiders some central assumptions of the historiography of industrialization (e.g. centralization of work, de-skilling of workers). Furthermore, the example of the engineering workshop within the big iron and steel company JHH broadens the theory in two respects: Firstly, it questions the focus of "Flexible Specialization" research on small firms within decentralised industrial districts. Secondly, it offers insight into the everyday working and power relations at stake. With the help of electronic network visualization relatively stable working groups have been reconstructed from the workshop's payroll who autonomously manage and fulfil the highly specialized tasks. The case study therefore exemplifies management methods and working-relations in the context of a flexible production system.
Greif Center for Entrep. Studies-USC Marshall, 2020
Electric vehicles have been "the next big trend" for more than 100 years. The first com... more Electric vehicles have been "the next big trend" for more than 100 years. The first commercially viable electric car was available in the 1890s but failed to become the dominant design. The case chronicles the development of the Electric Vehicle Company (EVC), founded in 1896, which by the turn of the century was the largest manufacturer and user of electric vehicles in the United States. Students evaluate the competition between the three different available engine technologies (gas, electric and steam) and their value propositions. Applying the Business Model Canvas, they explore the misfit between the immature technology and the ambitious sales strategy of EVC. The case guides students in designing a turnaround plan, which addresses many of the challenges that electric car companies, such as Tesla, struggle with today
etwa seit der industriellen revolution mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts bis zum Ausbruch des ersten Wel... more etwa seit der industriellen revolution mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts bis zum Ausbruch des ersten Weltkrieges intensivierten sich internationale Verflechtungen wie nie zuvor. Dampfgetriebene transportmittel, neue Kommunikationsmedien wie der elektrische telegraph und günstige politisch-rechtliche rahmenbedingungen ließen Auslandsinvestitionen massiv ansteigen. globale Handelsströme umspannten und vernetzten die Welt. Zu den ersten mechanischen Konsumprodukten, die vom Westen in alle Welt exportiert wurden, zählte das grammophon. indien war hierbei keine Ausnahme und wurde von Herstellern und Händlern frühzeitig als vielversprechender markt identifiziert. Der prozess, durch den westliche technologien nach indien kamen, ist vielfach beschrieben worden, häufig als transfer oder Diffusion von West nach ost und in enger Verbindung mit dem britischen imperialismus. Die Funktion und die identität von gütern bleiben jedoch nicht über grenzen und räume hinweg stabil. Dies gilt insbesondere in sogenannten „creative industries“ (caves), wie beispielsweise dem geschäft mit musikalischen tonträgern, das in enger Verbindung mit dem grammophon-Handel stand. es ist vielfach darauf hingewiesen worden, dass Wirtschaftsgüter keine universelle Bedeutung besitzen, jenseits ihres sozialen, kulturel-
The period from Western industrialization to World War I has aptly been described as that of the ... more The period from Western industrialization to World War I has aptly been described as that of the “fi rst global economy” because international trade expanded rapidly during that time.1 While there is a lot of uncertainty about the amount and composition of foreign investments, scholars agree that the share of trade in world output rose steadily until 1913. According to an estimate by John Dunning, about one-third of total world foreign investment took the form of direct foreign investments in 1913, because multinational companies not only exported to foreign countries but also owned assets and exerted management control there.2 Setting this number in relation to world output suggests a level of economic integration that was not reached again until the 1990s.3
Conference at the GHI Washington, December 9–11, 2010. Co-sponsored by the GHI and the graduate p... more Conference at the GHI Washington, December 9–11, 2010. Co-sponsored by the GHI and the graduate program “Generations in Modern History,” University of Gottingen. Conveners: Hartmut Berghoff (GHI), Bernd Weisbrod (Gottingen), Uff a Jensen (Max-Planck-Institut fur Bildungsforschung, Berlin), Christina Lubinski (GHI/Harvard). Participants: Astrid Baerwolf (Gottingen), Volker Benkert (Arizona State), Olof Brunninge (Jonkoping International Business School), Elwood Carlson (Florida State), Sarah E. Chinn (Hunter College, CUNY), Karl H. Fussl (Technical University of Berlin), Gary Cross (Pennsylvania State), Kirsten Gerland (Gottingen), Hope M. Harrison (George Washington University), Jochen Hung (Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies, London), Jan Logemann (GHI), Ondrej Matejka (Institute of Contemporary History, Prague), Daniel Morat (Free University of Berlin), Maria Fernandez Moya (University of Barcelona), Lutz Niethammer (University of Jena), Miriam Rurup (GHI), Dirk Schumann (Got...
Introduction Family firms constitute the backbone of the entrepreneurial landscape in Europe. The... more Introduction Family firms constitute the backbone of the entrepreneurial landscape in Europe. They have been the cornerstone of traditional and modern business in this continent for centuries, something which has been well recorded in public and private registers since at least since the early stages of capitalism in early modern times. Why is the family firm an institution able to survive and to compete in global capitalism? Consultants often analyze endogenous factors that take place in the continuity of family firms throughout generations, like leadership, succession planning, or the professionalization of management. Economists try to compare differences in terms of performance or financial resources needed for growth and expansion with non family firms. Historians, particularly business historians, more frequently try to take into account the external institutional conditions that may provide opportunities or
Electric vehicles have been "the next big trend" for more than 100 years. The first com... more Electric vehicles have been "the next big trend" for more than 100 years. The first commercially viable electric car was available in the 1890s but failed to become the dominant design. The case chronicles the development of the Electric Vehicle Company (EVC), founded in 1896, which by the turn of the century was the largest manufacturer and user of electric vehicles in the United States. Students evaluate the competition between the three different available engine technologies (gas, electric and steam) and their value propositions. Applying the Business Model Canvas, they explore the misfit between the immature technology and the ambitious sales strategy of EVC. The case guides students in designing a turnaround plan, which addresses many of the challenges that electric car companies, such as Tesla, struggle with today.
Vierteljahrschrift für Sozial- und Wirtschaftsgeschichte
ABSTRACT Based upon the theory of "Flexible Specialization" this article recons... more ABSTRACT Based upon the theory of "Flexible Specialization" this article reconsiders some central assumptions of the historiography of industrialization (e.g. centralization of work, de-skilling of workers). Furthermore, the example of the engineering workshop within the big iron and steel company JHH broadens the theory in two respects: Firstly, it questions the focus of "Flexible Specialization" research on small firms within decentralised industrial districts. Secondly, it offers insight into the everyday working and power relations at stake. With the help of electronic network visualization relatively stable working groups have been reconstructed from the workshop's payroll who autonomously manage and fulfil the highly specialized tasks. The case study therefore exemplifies management methods and working-relations in the context of a flexible production system.
Greif Center for Entrep. Studies-USC Marshall, 2020
Electric vehicles have been "the next big trend" for more than 100 years. The first com... more Electric vehicles have been "the next big trend" for more than 100 years. The first commercially viable electric car was available in the 1890s but failed to become the dominant design. The case chronicles the development of the Electric Vehicle Company (EVC), founded in 1896, which by the turn of the century was the largest manufacturer and user of electric vehicles in the United States. Students evaluate the competition between the three different available engine technologies (gas, electric and steam) and their value propositions. Applying the Business Model Canvas, they explore the misfit between the immature technology and the ambitious sales strategy of EVC. The case guides students in designing a turnaround plan, which addresses many of the challenges that electric car companies, such as Tesla, struggle with today
etwa seit der industriellen revolution mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts bis zum Ausbruch des ersten Wel... more etwa seit der industriellen revolution mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts bis zum Ausbruch des ersten Weltkrieges intensivierten sich internationale Verflechtungen wie nie zuvor. Dampfgetriebene transportmittel, neue Kommunikationsmedien wie der elektrische telegraph und günstige politisch-rechtliche rahmenbedingungen ließen Auslandsinvestitionen massiv ansteigen. globale Handelsströme umspannten und vernetzten die Welt. Zu den ersten mechanischen Konsumprodukten, die vom Westen in alle Welt exportiert wurden, zählte das grammophon. indien war hierbei keine Ausnahme und wurde von Herstellern und Händlern frühzeitig als vielversprechender markt identifiziert. Der prozess, durch den westliche technologien nach indien kamen, ist vielfach beschrieben worden, häufig als transfer oder Diffusion von West nach ost und in enger Verbindung mit dem britischen imperialismus. Die Funktion und die identität von gütern bleiben jedoch nicht über grenzen und räume hinweg stabil. Dies gilt insbesondere in sogenannten „creative industries“ (caves), wie beispielsweise dem geschäft mit musikalischen tonträgern, das in enger Verbindung mit dem grammophon-Handel stand. es ist vielfach darauf hingewiesen worden, dass Wirtschaftsgüter keine universelle Bedeutung besitzen, jenseits ihres sozialen, kulturel-
The period from Western industrialization to World War I has aptly been described as that of the ... more The period from Western industrialization to World War I has aptly been described as that of the “fi rst global economy” because international trade expanded rapidly during that time.1 While there is a lot of uncertainty about the amount and composition of foreign investments, scholars agree that the share of trade in world output rose steadily until 1913. According to an estimate by John Dunning, about one-third of total world foreign investment took the form of direct foreign investments in 1913, because multinational companies not only exported to foreign countries but also owned assets and exerted management control there.2 Setting this number in relation to world output suggests a level of economic integration that was not reached again until the 1990s.3
Conference at the GHI Washington, December 9–11, 2010. Co-sponsored by the GHI and the graduate p... more Conference at the GHI Washington, December 9–11, 2010. Co-sponsored by the GHI and the graduate program “Generations in Modern History,” University of Gottingen. Conveners: Hartmut Berghoff (GHI), Bernd Weisbrod (Gottingen), Uff a Jensen (Max-Planck-Institut fur Bildungsforschung, Berlin), Christina Lubinski (GHI/Harvard). Participants: Astrid Baerwolf (Gottingen), Volker Benkert (Arizona State), Olof Brunninge (Jonkoping International Business School), Elwood Carlson (Florida State), Sarah E. Chinn (Hunter College, CUNY), Karl H. Fussl (Technical University of Berlin), Gary Cross (Pennsylvania State), Kirsten Gerland (Gottingen), Hope M. Harrison (George Washington University), Jochen Hung (Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies, London), Jan Logemann (GHI), Ondrej Matejka (Institute of Contemporary History, Prague), Daniel Morat (Free University of Berlin), Maria Fernandez Moya (University of Barcelona), Lutz Niethammer (University of Jena), Miriam Rurup (GHI), Dirk Schumann (Got...
Introduction Family firms constitute the backbone of the entrepreneurial landscape in Europe. The... more Introduction Family firms constitute the backbone of the entrepreneurial landscape in Europe. They have been the cornerstone of traditional and modern business in this continent for centuries, something which has been well recorded in public and private registers since at least since the early stages of capitalism in early modern times. Why is the family firm an institution able to survive and to compete in global capitalism? Consultants often analyze endogenous factors that take place in the continuity of family firms throughout generations, like leadership, succession planning, or the professionalization of management. Economists try to compare differences in terms of performance or financial resources needed for growth and expansion with non family firms. Historians, particularly business historians, more frequently try to take into account the external institutional conditions that may provide opportunities or
Electric vehicles have been "the next big trend" for more than 100 years. The first com... more Electric vehicles have been "the next big trend" for more than 100 years. The first commercially viable electric car was available in the 1890s but failed to become the dominant design. The case chronicles the development of the Electric Vehicle Company (EVC), founded in 1896, which by the turn of the century was the largest manufacturer and user of electric vehicles in the United States. Students evaluate the competition between the three different available engine technologies (gas, electric and steam) and their value propositions. Applying the Business Model Canvas, they explore the misfit between the immature technology and the ambitious sales strategy of EVC. The case guides students in designing a turnaround plan, which addresses many of the challenges that electric car companies, such as Tesla, struggle with today.
Internment in so-called “enemy countries” was a frequent occurrence in the 20th century and creat... more Internment in so-called “enemy countries” was a frequent occurrence in the 20th century and created significant obstacles for multinational enterprises (MNEs). This article focuses on German MNEs in India and shows how they addressed the formidable challenge of the internment of their employees in British camps during both WWI and WWII. We find that internment impacted business relationships in India well beyond its endpoint and that the WWI internment shaped the subsequent perception of and strategic response to the WWII experience. We show that internment aggravated existing staffing challenges, impacted the perception of racial lines of distinctions, and re-casted the category “European business.” While internment was perceived and managed as a political risk, the case also shows that it created unexpected networking opportunities, generating a tight community of German businesspeople in India.
During the first global economy, roughly from Western industrialization to World War I, the gramo... more During the first global economy, roughly from Western industrialization to World War I, the gramophone, much like other consumer goods, circulated relatively freely around the world. This paper compares the market in India and China asking how gramophone companies established themselves there and focuses on the interaction between Western businesspeople and local partners. The article first shows how agents started exploring strategies for " localizing " music and, second, how in both countries their interaction with local partners was first shaped by curiosity and commercial interest, and later by traditionalism and nationalism, the latter of which paradoxically both inhibited and enabled Western business. Based on diaries, corporate files, trade journals, and consular reports, the paper shows that the highly localized and politicized demand for music made access to local knowledge a crucial competitive advantage.
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