Nobility and Business in History: Investments, Innovation, Management and Networks

This book explores the economic activities of noblemen in Europe and Asia during the nineteenth century, challenging the notion of their passivity and highlighting their active involvement in business. It emphasizes the role of social networks and personal relationships in business transactions and provides insights into the unique case of modern Japan.

Format: Hardback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into a fresh perspective on the noble class's role as influential economic actors, shedding light on their business ventures in Europe and Asia during the nineteenth century. By offering a comparative analysis in an era of economic expansion and globalization, it presents a wealth of insights.

Research reveals that the European nobility, far from being passive, actively engaged in diverse business activities throughout the century. They pioneered innovations, refined management strategies, and expanded their investments into agriculture, transportation, industry, and finance. These business endeavors were intricately intertwined with social networks and personal relationships.

In modern Japan, following the Meiji Restoration, a unique case in Asia where a Western-style nobility emerged, business, trust, personal connections, and aristocratic marriages converged. Japanese noblemen, particularly the wealthier ones, played a role in promoting industrialization, albeit limited in time and space. This volume holds immense appeal for scholars and researchers in economics, management, political science, sociology, public management, and history. The chapters included herein were originally published as a special issue of Business History, further enriching the discourse on the noble class's economic impact.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 179 x 274 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032449562