The Entrepreneur in History: From Medieval Merchant to Modern Business Leader (Palgrave Pivot)

Covering the period c.1200-c.2000, this book provides an innovative investigation of entrepreneurship in a long-run historical perspective, presenting new insights into the personal characteristics of successful business people and deepening our understanding of the roots of industrialization and economic growth. The history of entrepreneurship is an exciting new area of research that deepens our understanding of the roots of industrialization and economic growth. This book links entrepreneurship to business history, identifying the institutions which encourage entrepreneurship and emphasising the importance of small and big businesses, from the medieval period to modernity. Covering the period c.1200-c.2000, this book examines entrepreneurship in a long-run historical perspective, investigating the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and identifying the conditions which encourage entrepreneurship. The multiple case studies, spanning many sectors, highlight the achievements of a range of individuals, including media moguls, female investors and Quaker chocolate manufacturers. The entrepreneurial activities discussed include property speculation, which has been conducted throughout history by medieval monks as well as Victorian master builders. This book sets out an agenda for future research on the role of entrepreneurship in the development of the modern economy. It explores the impact of entrepreneurship on innovation and growth and displays the trajectory of a culture of creativity Front Matter....Pages i-vii A New Research Agenda....Pages 1-11 Perspectives on Entrepreneurship....Pages 12-41 The Historical Significance of the Entrepreneur....Pages 42-66 Case Studies: The Entrepreneur in Context....Pages 67-119 The Social Embeddedness of Entrepreneurship....Pages 120-134 Back Matter....Pages 135-139