Introduction

Page contents > Recent publications include: | Business History Unit staff | Visiting Fellows

The Business History Unit (BHU) was established in 1978 by LSE and Imperial College London via a trust fund established by leading UK businesses. It was the first research centre of its kind in Europe and remains the UK's leading centre for business history research. Its primary aim is to promote work in all aspects of business history, capitalising on its premier reputation and status as an international centre. Most of the leading scholars in the field have worked at the Unit or been connected with one or more of its research projects (notably the Dictionary of Business Biography and the International Bibliography of Business History).

While much of the Unit's work is of a micro-economic nature, concerned with the structure and performance of individual companies and industries, its research ambitions are broader. Indeed, a large proportion of its research output deals with the analysis of business in a wider sense, embracing economic, social and political aspects.

The Unit has played host to a large number of distinguished visitors from the business and academic community, both at home and overseas. The Unit's work has also led it into co-operation with related areas of study in the social and technological sciences.

The London School of Economics is currently the Trustee of the Unit, which is part of the Economic History Department. An Advisory Committee chaired by Kenneth Dixon provides advice on policy and administration.

Recent publications include:

Terry Gourvish, British Rail 1974-1997 (Oxford University Press, 2002)

Richard Coopey, Information Technology Policy (Oxford University Press, 2004)

Richard Coopey, Sean O'Connell and Dilwyn Porter, Mail Order Retailing in Britain (Oxford University Press, 2005)

Terry Gourvish, 'What Can Business History Tell Us About Business Performance?', Competition and Change, 10:4 (December 2006), 375-92.

Terry Gourvish, The Official History of Britain and the Channel Tunnel (Routledge, 2006)

LSE teaching staff associated with the Unit are listed separately under their respective departments.

Business History Unit staff

Dr Terence R Gourvish
Director, Business History Unit

Visiting Fellows