The Centre for Economic Institutions and Business History

The Centre hosts an interdisciplinary group of researchers who combine the professional skills of archaeologists, classicists, economists, economic historians and business historians to investigate the history of business and the economy. It conducts and disseminates research that strengthens, or challenges, our understanding of the contribution of business enterprise and economic institutions to national and global development.

Changes in the global economy generate a volatile and dynamic business 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, economic and technological challenges as they evolve, as well as the emergence of new organisations and industries. 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 only of large multinational enterprises, but also of small and medium-size enterprises, family firms, and business networks.

Our chronological coverage begins with the classical world, and continues through the medieval and early modern periods, the industrial revolution and the digital revolution of today. The Centre provides a creative and enthusiastic intellectual environment and is a centre of excellence in academic research and postgraduate studies.

The centre has PhD and studentships available:

• British economic elites in early and mid-twentieth century Britain
• Strategies for surviving in a hostile climate: major retailers and the decline of the British high street, 1970 – present