Scale, scope and accountability: towards a new paradigm of British business history

Abstract

This article extends Chandler's scale and scope perspective using a synthesis with accountability and governance perspectives. The article also explains how various paradigms of political economy might be accommodated within the proposed business history synthesis. Accordingly, the intended outcome is a model that can explain why diverse organisational forms emerge, alongside the business strategies that accompany these changes during historical transitions. Using British business history as an example, empirical vignettes based on important transition points in support of the main propositions are also offered. This allows conclusions to be drawn on the joint impact of scale and scope economies with systems of corporate governance, the development of ‘efficient’ capital markets and the impact of globalisation on multinationals and business networks.