The History of the Firm

Prof. Pia Toscano

ECTS: 5

Contents:

Part I- Through the lens of a Chandlerian framework and in a comparative perspective, the course particularly explores the evolution of big business by analysing its internal dynamics and the external factors, technology-markets-institutions, that have shaped its traits in a variety of geographical context from US to Europe and Asia. Situated at the confluence where economic growth and innovation processes meet, since its rise in the United States in the late 19th century big business-with varying degrees of vertical integration and diversification, has been a dominant feature of capitalist system and a major driver of economic and social change for most of the 20th century.

Part II- This part of the course goes into the role of entrepreneurs also in small and medium size industrial enterprises, exploring the relationship between the entrepreneur and its firm. Entrepreneurship is one of the most important input in the economic development of a country. Entrepreneurs are always on the look out for opportunities. They explore and exploit opportunities, encourage effective resource mobilisation of capital and skill, bring in new products and services and develops markets for growth of the economy. In this way, they help increasing gross national product as well as per capita income of the people in a country. Increase in gross national product and per capita income of the people in a country, is a sign of economic growth.

Textbook:

F:Amatori-A.Colli (2011) Business History: Complexities and Comparisons, Routledge

Teaching method:

Lectures and class discussion