Trans-generational renewal as managerial succession: The Behn Meyer story (1840-2000)

Built on a unique partnership principally among three families spanning more than 160 years and four generations, Behn Meyer provides fascinating insights for the study of corporate governance and managerial succession. The company was founded in Singapore in 1840 by two young men from Hamburg, a ci...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Business history 2012-12, Vol.54 (7), p.1166-1185
Main Author: Yacob, Shakila
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behn Meyer
Business success
Case studies
Company business management
Comparative analysis
Corporate culture
Corporate governance
Distributors
Entrepreneurship
family business
Family corporations
Family firms
Family owned businesses
Family-owned business enterprises
History
Management
managerial succession
Methods
Meyer, Behn
political risks
Singapore
Studies
Succession
Succession planning
trans-generational renewal
World wars
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Summary:Built on a unique partnership principally among three families spanning more than 160 years and four generations, Behn Meyer provides fascinating insights for the study of corporate governance and managerial succession. The company was founded in Singapore in 1840 by two young men from Hamburg, a city renowned for its tradition of merchant houses and entrepreneurship. During both world wars, the British colonial administration in Malaya and Singapore imposed severe restrictions on German-owned concerns. Yet Behn Meyer's 'resurrection' after both world wars demonstrates the remarkable resilience of the company and the adaptability of its management practices and culture. Trans-generational continuity in managerial succession remains a major factor in the long-run survival of a firm and this case study of a family enterprise that overcame significant business and political risks provides an informed comparative analysis of managerial succession and entrepreneurship.
ISSN:0007-6791
1743-7938
DOI:10.1080/00076791.2012.692080