Die Geburt des modernen Unternehmertums im Zeitalter der industriellen Revolution: Zwei Fallstudien aus dem Siebenbürgen des 19. Jahrhunderts
The Birth of Modern Entrepreneurship in the Era of the Industrial Revolution: Two Case Studies from 19th Century Transylvania

Summary/Abstract: Starting from the methodological suggestions specific to business history, this article proposes an investigation into family businesses, business strategies and the adaptation mechanisms to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution and its related phenomena. In the space of the former Habsburg Monarchy there were a whole series of companies and family businesses that managed to adapt to the requirements of the industrial age and to survive for several generations. In addition to explaining the strategies of branding and evoking the “myths of the founding fathers,” economic historians have studied and integrated them into the historical and socio-economic context of the time. Also, the organizational changes and adaptations were extremely important for the success or failure of these businesses, an important role being played by the professionalization of management. Who were these entrepreneurs and what kind of background did they have? What were the beginnings of businesses and what favored their promotion and success in business? What were the resources they originally relied on? What role did family relationships and social networks play in business development? Based on these questions, this article aims to reconstruct the evolution of entrepreneurial initiatives in Transylvanian cities that later evolved into the prestigious companies of that time. What is worth noting in this context is the fact that entrepreneurship in Transylvania tried to highlight local resources and opportunities. Most successful entrepreneurs think broadly, focusing on complementary and integrated areas of business development, and on long-term decisions. The case study will refer to the Friedrich Czell & Sons Company of Brasov (Kronstadt, Brassó), respectively the Sigmond Brothers from Cluj (Klausenburg, Kolozsvár).

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