Netværk, ledelse og kinafart – ’Interlocking Directorates’ i 1700-tallets tidlige entreprenante tid

Resumé

Overlap af bestyrelsesmedlemmer er ikke kun et moderne fænomen. Allerede i 1700-tallets erhvervslandskab var det almindeligt at erhvervsfolk i bredeste forstand var involveret i en række forskellige organisationer, der derved kunne drage nytte af deres viden og netværk.

Med udgangspunkt i Michael Useems (1984) begreb Interlocking Directorates analyseres erhvervslandskabet i det Oldenborgske Monarki (Danmark, Norge etc) i perioden 1730-1755. Med hjælp fra Social Network Analysis står det klart, hvordan erhvervslivet var bundet tæt sammen i perioden, og hvordan særligt den nye og indbringende kinafart fra København var præget af ledere med store netværk og evner til at kontrollere information.

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Network, management and China trade - ’Interlocking Directorates’ in the 18th century early entrepreneurial era

Overlap of board members is not just a modern phenomenon. Already in the business landscape of the eighteenth century it was common for businessmen in a wider sense to be involved in different organizations, which could then profit from their knowledge and networks.

Utilizing the concept Interlocking Directorates from Michael Useem (1984), the business landscape of the Oldenburg Monarchy (Denmark, Norway etc.) is analyzed for the period 1730-1755. Assisted by Social Network Analysis it is clear how particularly the new and profitable China trade from Copenhagen was dominated by leaders with great networks and abilities to control information.