American business history
Professor John McCarty
6 points * Two 1-hour lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week * Second semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: Any two of ECO1020, ECO1030, ECO1100, ECO1110, ECO1510 and ECO1520
Objectives On completion of this subject students should understand the dynamic, entrepreneurial character of American capitalism; understand how large corporations have adapted their internal organisational structures to changes in their external strategies; be able to research the history of a particular corporation.
Synopsis The subject studies business history in the United States of America from 1790 to the present. American business history is outlined in four periods. These are the period of traditional business organisation 1790-1860; the rise of big business 1860-1910; oligopolies and the rise of modern multi-divisional corporations 1910-1960; and fourthly the modern age since 1960 of large corporations and conglomerates. Themes include the growth of firms by means of internal expansion or by external growth (mergers and takeovers); consequent changes in the internal organisation of large firms; entrepreneurship and innovation over the four periods. Business histories chosen to illustrate the themes include food processing, automobiles, tobacco, computers, retailing and advertising.
Assessment Written (2500-word essay): 40% * Examination (2 hours): 50% * Tutorial assessment: 10%