The aim of the study is to establish a genuine historical analysis of values in economy, based on empirical data and methodological reflection. For this purpose the economic principles, leadership concepts and labour values of the executive employees will be analysed. The social group of the executive employees has been almost completely ignored by historiography, despite the fact that this group has increased in number and economic importance since Industrialisation. With the example of this group, value change in economy will be investigated on three levels: on the level of executive employees and their internal discourse; on the level of society as a whole and its general discourse on economic leaders; and thirdly, on the level of corporations, using six specific examples. A diachronic perspective will be achieved with the help of five case studies to bring the century of the manager into focus.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
