Below is an overview of current and completed projects in the field of business history.

Meesters in Metaal – Koninklijke Metaalunie

Koninklijke Metaalunie is one of the most important interest groups in the Netherlands, connecting entrepreneurs in the SME metal industry, an industry that employs nearly 200,000 workers and has a turnover of more than 30 billion euros. In 2023, Koninklijke Metaalunie commissioned a study to be published on the occasion of the organization’s 125th anniversary in 2028. This study will focus on the craftsmanship of SME metal entrepreneurs. How did the industry develop in the twentieth century, what opportunities and threats did the entrepreneurs encounter, and how did they shape their craftsmanship appropriately under changing socioeconomic and political conditions? And what role did the jubilee entrepreneurs’ organization play in this process? The study aims to answer the question of how generations of entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises shaped their ambitions and love for the profession. The study is being conducted by Dr. Bram Bouwens. Among other things, he is using unique archive material from the Koninklijke Metaalunie.

Sustainability Trade-offs in the Netherlands’ Entangled Modernisation (STONEM)

Imports of raw materials affect economic, social and environmental conditions elsewhere in the world. The Netherlands currently has the worst record in Europe regarding sustainability abroad. This has historical causes: over the past two centuries, the production of scientific knowledge, colonial developments and industrial modernisation have contributed to the creation of global production chains. This had a serious impact on the global environment and the livelihoods of indigenous people. STONEM examines this commodification process in conjunction with the development of global supply chains and their impact on sustainability. Researchers involved: prof. dr. Johan Schot and dr. Bram Bouwens.