Newcastle Business School, Northumbria U., United Kingdom
Cycles of globalisation and deglobalisation can be especially impactful for business networks and network actors (firms). Given both patterns of globalisation/deglobalisation and the dynamic nature of networks, a historical perspective is essential in examining how firms experience and respond to eras of deglobalisation. This paper contributes to the understanding of experiences and responses to deglobalisation through a historical case study of a pre-modern trade network and a selection of the key firms operating within the bounds of this network. The historical case study is constructed using a variety of archival data and complemented by an exploration of network structure and composition through network visualisations. We investigate how firms respond to deglobalisation by utilising their network and, in turn, how this impacted their business in the long run. Crucially, we offer alternate perspectives of how firms manage their businesses in times of deglobalisation and suggest that these periods can provide opportunities for some firms, which can translate into positive outcomes in subsequent periods.
