Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
The primary aim was to identify the economic and social characteristics of Scotland's business leaders circa 1850-1960, on the basis of the sample of men surveyed in the two volumes of the Dictionary of Scottish Business Biography. This aim guided the structure of the computer database which was designed to meet four main objectives: (1) to determine the origins of the business leaders by sector, time period, firm size, and by patterns appropriate to Founders, Inheritors, and Professional Managers; (2) to establish patterns of education, business training and career path; (3) to delineate non business interests and roles in society; (4) to analyse the scale and pattern of business wealth. These aims and objectives have been examined systematically and provide for further analysis of links between entrepreneurial characteristics, and the process of gentrification and the patterns of success and failure in different sectors. They also provide a systematic basis for comparative assessment.
Main Topics:
Personal life: dates of birth; death; marital status; religion; family data. Education and training: school; further/higher education; apprenticeships etc. Career path: dates and ages at first job; first management post; final management post; description of jobs; age of retirement etc. Non-business interests: religion; politics; industry; community philanthropic activities; hobbies etc. Wealth holding at death.
The 381 men were a representative sample selected for study in the 2 volumes of Dictionary of Scottish Business Biography. The men were chosen to represent leading firms, major districts, etc.
Transcription of existing materials
Compilation or synthesis of existing material
