A remarkable fifteen Nordic family businesses are among the 500 biggest companies in the world and the Nordic countries have more dynasties than most others per capita and in GDP terms. The willingness, often reluctant, of both the political system and labour movement to accept asset accumulation has helped these Nordic businesses survive. The top 1% of Swedes own close to 25% of the country's wealth, as opposed to 16.5% of Spaniards, where dynasties are also abundant. The pattern has held a firm grip on the Nordic countries since the Industrial Revolution and emergence of free enterprise. The trend is particularly pronounced in comparison with the Anglo-Saxon countries – somewhat less so relative to places like Italy, Japan, Germany and South-Asian countries.This book describes the factors and dynamics behind the ability of Nordic businesses to grow and thrive from one generation to the next in the process of becoming dynasties. Far from being commercial enterprises, they are a venue for power, philanthropy, passion, conflict, freedom and captivity. Like many other dynasties, the Nordic ones are a witch's brew of Machiavelli's Prince, Marx's belief in the potential of the meritocracy and Smith's baker who works to sustain his family. Topped by a spoonful of Weber's Protestant Ethic.This book will be key readings for students and scholars of entrepreneurship, corporate governance, business history, Scandinavian history, family business and enterprises and the related disciplines.
Hans Sjögren is a professor at Linköping University and Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden.
Chapter 1: Dynasties in the Age of CapitalismThe Lucky Sperm ClubMature and emerging dynastiesNordic dynastiesMissions to fulfilChapter 2: The Theory of DynastyPersonal, family-based and managerial capitalismFinancial and human capitalDynastic longingsChurchill's favourite marmalade?Ants and grasshoppersThe good life outside the stock marketA conceptual modelRelational capital and value creationHistorichal anchorChapter 3: New Industry LogicNordic dynastic entrepreneurship in the nineteenth centuryMerchant housesBanking and the bourgeoisieInter-war dynastiesEntrepreneurship in the countryside of JutlandPost-war dynastiesSociety modernizesFamily-based retailersInto the digital revolutionCountryside originsChapter 4: Strategy, Structure and DynamicsStick to what you know, or notA structural evolutionary patternConglomerates – a blind alleyBusiness groupsBonnier – back to basicsThe u-turn of LegoToo much tradition killsIn the wrong industry at the wrong timeContinuity and discontinuity with historical rootsChapter 5: Values and CredosServant of the people – Kamprad’s willRenewal and the national interest – the WallenbergsResolute leadershipSpotlight on customers – the Perssons, Rausings and Kann RasmussensThe devil is in the detailsWinning strategiesChapter 6: Blood is Everything – SuccessionFamily do or dieLonely spouses and cracks in the glass ceilingChanging role of womenShaky promises for the futureSibling rivalry A two-man show, or maybe notThe extended familySons-in-law and trials by fireCulture of leadershipFrictionless successionPassive owners without day-to-day management dutiesKinship triumphsChapter 7: Business, Politics and CulturePolitical effort and conservative resistanceTo ease the tax burdensWelfare system alliancesA long tradition of mutual benefitGive and take – a question of cultureChapter 8: ConclusionThe weight of traditionThe future of dynasties – local is global