Preface -- Contents -- List of Tables -- PART I: BIG BUSINESS -- 1. The World of Big Business before 1914 -- Banking and finance -- Heavy industry -- The diversity of British big business -- The new industries in Germany -- Big business in France -- 2. From the 1920s to the 1950s -- The rise of big business in Britain -- The stability of German big business -- Strengths and weaknesses of French big business -- 3. Recent Developments -- New dimension -- Convergence -- PART II: PERFORMANCES -- 4. Profits and Profitability -- Profits -- Profitability -- 5. Survival -- Longevity -- Growth -- PART III: BUSINESS LEADERSHIP -- 6. Competence -- Founders, inheritors, and managers -- Education and training -- Career patterns -- 7. Decision-Making -- Company boards -- Organizational structures -- Multiple directorships -- Banks and industry -- PART IV: BUSINESS, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS -- 8. Wealth, Status, and Power before 1914 -- Business fortunes -- Aristocracy and bourgeoisie -- Political influence -- 9. Business Élites in Contemporary Europe -- Wealth and the corporate élite -- Social status -- Businessmen and politics -- Conclusion -- Appendix: List of Companies Included in the Samples: 1907, 1929, and 1953 -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Z.