Merchants to Multinationals : British Trading Companies in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

## Abstract This book examines the history of British multinational trading companies from the eighteenth century to the present day. During the Industrial Revolution, British merchants established overseas branches that became major trade intermediaries and subsequently engaged in foreign direct investment. Complex multinational business groups emerged controlling large investments in natural resources, processing, and services in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. While theories of the firm predict the demise over time of merchant firms, this book identifies the continued resilience of British trading companies despite the changing political and business environments of the twentieth century. They ‘reinvented’ themselves in successive generations. The competences of the trading companies resided in their information‐gathering, relationship‐building, human resources, and corporate governance systems. This Book Examines The Evolution Of Multinational Trading Companies From The Eighteenth Century To The Present Day. While Theories Of The Firm Predict The Demise Over Time Of Merchant Firms, This Book Identifies The Continued Resilience Of British Trading Companies Despite The Changing Political And Business Environments Of The Twentieth Century. Like Japanese Trading Companies, They 're-invented' Themselves In Successive Generations. The Competences Of The Trading Companies Resided In Their Information-gathering, Relationship-building, Human Resource, And Corporate Governance Systems. This Book Provides A New Dimension To The Literature On International Business Through The Focus On Multinational Service Firms And Its Evolutionary Approach Based On Confidential Business Records.--jacket. 1. Trading Companies In Theory And History -- 2. Foundations -- 3. From Trade To Investment -- 4. Trading In Crisis -- 5. Concentration And Diversification -- 6. Business Groups -- 7. Governance And Human Resources -- 8. External Relationships -- 9. Natural Resources -- 10. Traders As Manufacturers -- 11. End Game -- 12. Conclusion -- App. 1. Post-tax Return On Net Capital Employed Of Selected British Trading Companies, 1895-1998 -- App. 2. Pre-tax Return On Net Capital Employed Of Selected British Trading Companies, 1948-1998 -- App. 3. Sources For Calculations On Capital Employed Of British Trading Companies. Geoffrey Jones. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [365]-375) And Index. Annotation Merchants to Multinationals examines the evolution of multinational trading companies from the eighteenth century to the present day. During the Industrial Revolution, British merchants established overseas branches which became major trade intermediaries and subsequently engaged in foreign direct investment. Complex multinational business groups emerged controlling large investments in natural resources, processing, and services in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. While theories of the firm predict the demise over time of merchant firms, this book identifies the continued resilience of British trading companies despite the changing political and business environments of the twentieth century. Like Japanese trading companies, they 're-invented' themselves in successive generations. The competences of the trading companies resided in their information-gathering, relationship-building, human resource, and corporate governance systems. This book provides a new dimension to the literature on international business through the focus on multinational service firms and its evolutionary approach based on confidential business records

this Book Examines The Evolution Of Multinational Trading Companies From The Eighteenth Century To The Present Day. During The Industrial Revolution, British Merchants Established Overseas Branches Which Became Major Trade Intermediaries And Subsequently Engaged In Foreign Direct Investment. Complex Multinational Business Groups Emerged Controlling Large Investments In Natural Resources, Processing, And Services In Asia, Latin America, And Africa.

'Merchants to Multinationals' provides a study of the evolution of British-owned international trading companies worldwide from the late 18th century through to the start of the 21st century.