Drawing on a detailed examination of Venetian commerce in the Middle Ages, this book explores the business practices and structures that enabled merchants to compete in a challenging international market.

Contributing to the literature on the early history of capitalism, the book demonstrates how Venetian merchants combined innovation with traditional methods to maintain their edge in a competitive world, providing valuable lessons on resilience and strategic planning in commerce. Small and mid-sized commercial companies operating across borders and geographies in the early Renaissance period faced numerous challenges including identifying profitable sectors and businesses, developing effective business strategy, dealing with peers and subordinates, managing the flow of information, and assessing risks and potential rewards. The chapters explore a range of topics in this context including the roles of family-based firms, the strategic deployment of agents, and the impact of state policies on private enterprise. Readers are introduced to the ways Venetian merchants managed capital, adapted to market demands, and overcame obstacles like wars and resource shortages.

This book will be of significant interest to historians and social scientists researching economic history, the history of trade, the history of capitalism, medieval and Renaissance history and historical network analysis.

Book Information
ISBN 9781032628134
Author Stefania Montemezzo
Format Hardback
Page Count 256
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd