Shaping the rules of the game: Spanish capitalism and the publishing industry under dictatorship (1939–1975)

Abstract

This article examines the development of Spanish capitalism under Franco’s dictatorship (1939–1975) through the interaction between two major actors: the book publishing industry, a fast growing and internationally minded sector, and the Spanish Government. We argue that Spanish publishers, by defending their interests and redefining their strategies in an extremely restrictive and vulnerable environment, strengthened their coordinating capacities while shaping Spain’s economic institutions. The main conclusion of this empirical study is that engaged and/or legitimacy seeking actors can effectively contribute to change the rules of the economic game. We contend that this ability of entrepreneurial actors to shape the rules over time needs to be better integrated into the VOC theoretical framework.

Keywords:

• Institutions
• Spain
• Franco regime
• VoC approach
• publishing industry

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Maria Fernandez-Moya

Maria Fernandez-Moya is an Associate Professor of Economic History and Management at Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF). Before joining CUNEF in 2011, María has developed her research career at IESE Business School and University of Barcelona. Her primary expertise is in the internationalization of Spanish companies from a historical perspective, with a focus on family business management.

Nuria Puig

Nuria Puig is professor of Economic History and Institutions at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Spain. Her current research interests include the long term effects of foreign direct investment and the growth and organizational strategies of family capitalism. Her most recent publications include a history of private banking in Spain (coauthored with J.L. García Ruiz) and a Business History special issue on the impact of foreign direct investment on the entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities of host economies (coedited with A. Álvaro and S. Fellman). Nuria Puig serves on the editorial board of Business History Review and Revista de Historia Industrial. The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support of Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades PGC2018-098057-A-100.