Dansk

Abstract

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.