The Centre for International Business History

To conduct and disseminate historical research that strengthens, or challenges, our understanding of business policies, practices and performance. Firms operate within a dynamic and changing environment, and our research examines how entrepreneurs, organisations and institutions have evolved over time. We are interested in organisations that have endured for generations, responding and adapting to social and technological change as they evolve, as well as the emergence of new organisations (or industries) that have been able to challenge or replace incumbent firms. We recognise the heterogeneity of organisational forms, and of the business systems of which they are a part. Our research explores the origins, and evolution, not just of large scale corporate enterprises, but also of SMEs, family firms, and business networks.