British Business in Asia since 1860

This 1989 book examines the experience of British business in Asia since 1860.

R. P. T. Davenport-Hines (Edited by), Geoffrey Jones (Edited by)

9780521335270, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 February 1989

318 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.64 kg

"In short, this is a volume which contains a variety of interesting contributions to business history, economic history and the study of imperialism. The common feature is a high standard of scholarship, drawing upon Asian as well as British sources." G. C. Peden, Albion

This 1989 book examines the experience of British business in Asia since 1860. Following a wide-ranging introduction by the editors, there are essays by leading specialist historians on British business in Iran, India, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Russian Asia and Japan. The primary focus is on the impact of British commerce in the region, and the essays, based on research in British business archives and government papers, discuss the activities and performance of British companies. However, the book seeks to avoid a 'Euro-centred' approach by using Asian as much as British sources and by paying particular attention to the indigenous response to British commercial activity. The secondary theme is the relationship between British business and British and foreign government. The book, therefore, contributes to the wider debate on the business aspects of imperialism. In general, the essays, although drawing on extensive research in primary sources, are written as general surveys, and are thus easily accessible to non-specialists and students.

List of illustrations
List of maps
List of tables
Preface
1. British business in Asia since 1860 R. P. T. Davenport-Hines and Geoffrey Jones
2. British business in Iran, 1860s–1970s Frances Bostock and Geoffrey Jones
3. British business in Russian Asia since the 1860s: an opportunity lost? Christine White
4. British business in India, 1860–1970 B. R. Tomlinson
5. Early British business in Thailand Malcolm Falkus
6. British business in Malaysia and Singapore since the 1870s Jean-Jacques van Helten and Geoffrey Jones
7. British business in China, 1860s–1950s Jürgen Osterhammel
8. British business in Japan since 1868 R. P. T. Davenport-Hines and Geoffrey Jones
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Economic history [KCZ]