Suggested Issues

We are in particular encouraging submissions related to the following issues. Please note that this list of possible topics is purely indicative. Proposals, which explore different aspects of the overall conference theme or deal with other topics of business history, are also welcome.

Production and services within firms

• Co-existence and co-evolution of both types of activities
• Internalisation or externalisation of services
• Implications for the organisation and its constituents
• Influence of rules and norms (e.g. accounting)

Development of service industries and firms

• Specific patterns and characteristics of services
• Large and small firms in services
• The role of technology: High-tech and low-tech services
• The role of entrepreneurs, managers and stakeholders

Services in regional and national development

• Location and agglomeration of service activities
• Transitions from (pre-)industrial to service-based economies
• The role and impact of public policies and institutions
• Political and societal attitudes towards service development

Conceptual questions related to service industries

• Definition and delineation of service activities
• The value added of services
• Services for markets and markets for services
• Challenges to existing frameworks in business history

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