From Rags to Riches: Changing Perceptions of Family Business in the Netherlands, 1945-2019

This dissertation examines the evolving use and connotations of the term "family business" and reveals the strategic and political implications underlying the term’s usage. Throughout the 20th century, family businesses were criticized as outdated in comparison to large managerial enterprises, particularly due to their perceived limitations in resources and innovation. In the Netherlands, family firms faced skepticism, especially during the 1950s and 1960s, when egalitarian and meritocratic ideals colided with inherited wealth and control. However, a shift occurred in the 1980s as family busin... Mehr ...