Companies and Entrepreneurs in the History of Spain : Centuries Long Evolution in Business Since the 15th Century

This book analyses the economic history of the company and entrepreneurship in Spain from the 15 th century to the present. It evaluates the economic theory, the formation of the figure of the entrepreneur, as well as the structure of the companies. This exploration of the businessmen in Spain over several centuries is something that has not been done until now. Joining the great Spanish historiographical debate about the existence or not of entrepreneurship, the book brings together research in very different historical contexts and junctures. It presents a selection of cases of companies and entrepreneurs from Spain, from different sectors, regions and periods, from boom to crisis, from the wine businessman to the railway sector, from private banking to the pioneers of the Spanish travel agency business. It will be of interest to academics and students in economic history, business and management history, as well as researchers in entrepreneurship & small business management. Preface Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: The Influence of the Entrepreneur as a determining factor in the History of the Company 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The Figure of the Entrepreneur 1.3 The History of the Company as an Academic Subject 1.4 The History of the Company in Spanish Universities 1.5 Conclusions References Chapter 2: Castilian Companies: Between the Medieval Model and Modern Business (Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries) 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Castilian Companies: Business and Strategy 2.2.1 The Mercantile Company as a Model 2.2.2 Diversification as a Strategy 2.3 The Life Cycle of Castilian Companies 2.3.1 The Foundation: Objectives and Types 2.3.2 The Duration of the Company 2.3.3 Dissolving the Company 2.4 Running the Company: The Partners and Funding 2.4.1 The Partners 2.4.2 Capital and Funding 2.4.3 Managing the Company 2.5 Conclusion References Chapter 3: Simón Ruiz: A Great Businessman in Sixteenth-Century Europe 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Family and Business 3.3 From Merchandise Trade to High Finance 3.4 As an Epilogue References Chapter 4: A Great Modern Capitalist: Jakob Fugger 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Interest in Wealthy People 4.3 Great Historical Changes 4.4 A Risk-taking Entrepreneur 4.5 An Emperor’s Dreams 4.6 The Richest Man of All 4.7 The Hour of Politics 4.8 Choosing the Emperor 4.9 Fugger Against the Reformation 4.10 Is This Capitalism? Self-interest and Public Interest 4.11 Time to Work References Chapter 5: Speculation and Collusion in the North of Castile. 1820–1880 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Speculation: The Individual’s Perspective 5.3 Cartels and Lobbies: The Group’s Perspective 5.4 Conclusions References Chapter 6: Wine Entrepreneurs in Nineteenth-Century Cádiz: Pedro Lacave Miramont 6.1 Introduction 6.2 The Beginning of the Business (1804–1830) 6.3 The Family Business: Lacave & Echecopar (1830–1851) 6.4 Conclusions Sources Manuscripts Lacave Archive Municipal Historical Archive of Cádiz Provincial Historical Archive of Cádiz Regulatory Council of the Denominations of Origin “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry”, “Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda” and “Vinagre de Jerez” Biblioteca Unicaja de Temas Gaditanos “Juvencio Maeztu” Print Documents References Chapter 7: The Sociedad Azucarera Antequerana and the Commercialization of Its Products (1890–1906) 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Sociedad Azucarera Antequerana, a Noteworthy Company 7.3 The Commercialization of Sugar 7.4 Conclusions References Chapter 8: Merchant Bankers, Banking Houses and Large National Banks. The Case of Jaen Province (1800–1936) 8.1 Introduction 8.2 The Private Banking Sector in Spain in the Nineteenth Century: The Task of the Merchant Bankers 8.3 Private Bankers in Jaen Province in the Nineteenth Century 8.4 Private Banking in Jaen in the First Third of the Twentieth Century 8.4.1 The Beginning of National Banking in Jaen in the First Decades of the Twentieth Century 8.4.2 Local Bankers’ Behaviour 8.4.3 Hijo de Dionisio Puche (Son of Dionisio Puche) 8.4.3.1 Miñón Brothers 8.5 Conclusions References Chapter 9: Public Services in Spain: The Role of Water Supply Companies 9.1 Introduction 9.2 The Business Context of Water Supply Companies 9.3 The Investment Capacity of Drinking Water Supply Companies 9.4 The Characteristics of the Drinking Water Companies 9.5 The Nature of the Drinking Water Business 9.6 Business Strategy and Control of the Market 9.7 Conclusions References Chapter 10: The Railway Sector in Spain in the Long Term 10.1 Introduction 10.2 The Early Years: 1844–1890 10.3 A New Century: 1890–1914 10.4 The Impact of the First World War 10.5 The “Roaring Twenties” of Spanish Railways: 1923–1931 10.6 After the “Roaring Twenties” the Great Depression: 1931–1936 10.7 The Civil War Years and the Early Franco Period: 1936–1959 10.8 The New “Liberalising” and “Planning” Winds of Change: 1960–1975 10.9 Political Transition and Membership of the European Economic Community: 1976–2012 10.10 Final Considerations References Chapter 11: The Pioneers of the Spanish Travel Agency Business Before Mass Tourism 11.1 Introduction 11.2 The Beginnings of Intermediated Travel in Spain 11.3 The International Dimension of Spanish Travel Agencies and FIAV Congresses 11.4 The Early Years of the Franco Regime References Chapter 12: Menorcan Entrepreneurs of Footwear and Technological Innovation: Pons Quintana and Mascaró 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Technological Innovation 12.3 Don Santiago Pons Quintana (1929–2020) 12.4 Don Jaime Mascaró (1939–2014) 12.5 Main Sources References Chapter 13: The Path to Success of MAPFRE 13.1 Introduction 13.2 MAPFRE’s Growth: From a Small Company to the Market Leader in Spain 13.3 MAPFRE’s International Expansion 13.4 The Change from a Mutual to a Joint-Stock Company 13.5 Conclusions References MAPFRE Archive Chapter 14: Spanish Businesses and the Negotiations for Spain’s Entry into the European Economic Community 14.1 Introduction 14.2 The Return to Europe 14.3 The Position of the First Spanish Negotiating Team 14.3.1 Initial Arguments 14.3.2 Practical Arguments 14.4 The Position of the Businesses 14.5 The Same Objective, But Two Strategies 14.6 Conclusions References Archive of the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (AMAE) Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo Archive (ALCS) Chapter 15: The Automotive Equipment and Components Industry of Castilla y León in the World Automotive Market: The Lingotes Especiales Group 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Creating a Business Idea: The Advantage of Having FASA-Renault Nearby 15.3 Consolidation During a Period of Turmoil: 1970–1990 15.4 Exports and Direct Investment Overseas: 1990–2018 15.4.1 Breaking into Exports, and the Subsidiary Machining Company 15.4.2 The Globalisation of the Company 15.5 Final Notes References Lingotes Especiales Archive (L.E.A.) Index