Business History and Entrepreneurship

A textbook that bridges basic economic and management theory, offering a foundational yet comprehensive introduction to business history.

一部融合基本经济学、管理学理论的企业史入门教科书。

This textbook is designed to accompany an introductory course in business history and entrepreneurship. Firms are not only the primary drivers of modern economic activity - they are also the central engines of innovation. In recognition of the critical role that managers play in shaping corporate innovation, scholars often refer to the impetus behind innovation as "entrepreneurship." Taking industrial culture as its analytical lens, this book offers a broad yet accessible introduction to both business history and the spirit of enterprise.

The book is organized into six chapters, covering essential topics such as the fundamentals of firms and entrepreneurship, landmark developments in business history, an introduction to evolutionary economics, the basics of innovation theory, corporate competition and culture, and the influential Chandlerian framework in business history. Designed with classroom use in mind, the text is concise and approachable, making it an ideal starting point for students and general readers alike. The appendix also includes six business history case studies that serve as practical examples for those looking to gain deeper insight into the field.

本书是企业史与企业家精神概论课程的配套教材。企业作为现代经济最重要的行为主体，也必然是最重要的创新主体。由于企业经营者通常对企业的创新起到举足轻重的作用，创新的动力又被一些学者称为企业家精神。本书以工业文化为视角，对企业史与企业家精神进行基本的介绍。本书正文共分六章，内容分别为：企业与企业家精神概论、企业史上的重要篇章、演化经济学概论、创新理论简介、企业的竞争与企业文化、企业史的钱德勒范式。为了适应教学实际，本书在设计时即注重控制篇幅与规模，这样也便于对企业史与企业家精神感兴趣的读者作为入门读物使用。本书附录为六篇企业史论文，是认识中国企业史与企业家精神的较好案例，可供感兴趣的读者参考。