Cambridge Business Association
Masterpieces of Swiss Entrepreneurship
Book

Masterpieces of Swiss Entrepreneurship

Swiss SMEs Competing in Global Markets

Jean-Pierre Jeannet, Thierry Volery, Heiko Bergmann and Cornelia Amstutz
Springer, 2021
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Comprehensive
  • Analytical
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Swiss academics Jean-Pierre Jeannet, Thierry Volery, Heiko Bergmann and Cornelia Amstutz offer an in-depth study of three dozen Swiss companies that have withstood competition and intergenerational succession planning. The authors find common themes and compelling tales among these hardy businesses. Business leaders who don’t necessarily want to take over the world, but who do want to build something that lasts, will welcome this study of Alpine inspiration.

Summary

Over many decades, Swiss entrepreneurs built viable, durable companies.

This overview of three dozen Swiss companies with decades-long track records ranges from Sefar, a weaving company launched in 1833, to Wyon, a battery maker which opened in 1999.A handful of these companies have operated since the 19th century.They rely on an array of strategies to compete in a variety of industries, but most of the founders launched their companies as young men, and only a few came from wealthy families. 

Some, like Ricola, are well-known brands. Many focus on small B2B market segments. None of these companies was founded by women, in part, because many of these concerns focus on technology and engineering, fields that only recently began to welcome women in leadership roles. During the time when many of these companies were founded, society did not encourage women to run businesses.

Most of the firms studied remain family-owned.

Ownership of the three dozen companies studied has remained under family control across generations. Subsequent offspring of founders have remained devoted to controlling these companies and maintaining...

About the Authors

Jean-Pierre Jeannet served on the faculty of Babson College from 1974 to 2013. Thierry Volery is professor of entrepreneurship and director of the management department at ZHAW School of Management and Law. Heiko Bergmann is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at the University of St. Gallen. Cornelia Amstutz is a research associate at the University of Lucerne.

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