His 60n Dynasties: Medieval noble houses and modern family

firms
Subject to small changes
Hagar Barak
barak@fas.harvard.edu
office: Robinson 113
M, 1-3

The communal life of human beings had, therefore, a two-fold

foundation: the compulsion to work, which was created by external
necessity, and the power of love" (Sigmund Freud, Civilization and its
Discontents)

. 40% of fortune 500 companies are family owned or controlled, and it

is estimated that family firms make up between 65 and 80% of
worldwide business enterprises. Nevertheless, until recently family
businesses received little scholarly attention. It was thought that
family capitalism was a primitive stage of economic development,
one the modern world had outgrown. The new research on this field
indicates family firms face unique challenges during the process of
succession, with less than 10% of family businesses surviving until the
third generation.
The unique challenges faced by family firms are the result of an
overlap between the emotional sphere and the professional sphere.
The noble dynasties of medieval Europe were, to all intents and
purposes, family businesses, facing the same challenges. This class will
take a close look at two medieval royal dynasties: the Capetians of
France, a family noted for centuries of uncontested successions, and
the Norman-Angevins of England, known for turbulent transfers of
power. We will examine these families from an organization point of
view over multiple generations, asking what strategies, practices and
habits foster harmonious succession. We will also compare the
medieval dynasties with modern banking and industrial ones, and ask
what, if anything, historical lessons can tell us about the modern
business world.

This is a seminar, and so is primarily suited for more advanced

undergraduates. Freshmen may contact me if they are considering the
class.

Course Organization

Grading:

Attendance: 25%

Participation and weekly Response Papers: 30%

Final Paper (due the last day of Reading Period, 18 pages): 45%

The final paper will examine an event in the life cycle of a modern
family firm in the context of the medieval material we will cover

COLLABORATIONPOLICY

Discussion and the exchange of ideas are essential to academic work,

and you are encouraged to discuss course readings and paper topics
with your peers. Any written work you submit for evaluation, however,
must be the result of your own research and writing and must reflect
your own approach to the topic. You must also be sure to properly cite
any books, articles, websites, lectures, etc. that have helped you with
your work. If you received any help with your writing (feedback on
drafts, etc.), you must also acknowledge this assistance.

ACCOMODATIONSFORSTUDENTSWITHDISABILITIES

Students needing academic adjustments or accommodations because

of a documented disability must present their Faculty Letter from the
Accessible Education Office (AEO) and speak with the professor by the
end of the second week of the term, (fill in specific date). Failure to do
so may result in the Course Head's inability to respond in a timely
manner. All discussions will remain confidential, although Faculty are
invited to contact AEO to discuss appropriate implementation.

ABSENCE POLICY

Please let me know of any scheduled absences in advance. In case of

an unscheduled absence, contact me as soon as possible. Unapproved
absences will lead to a decrease in attendance and particpation
grades.

LATE ASSIGNENT POLICY

Unapproved late submissions will lose one letter grade per day.

Reading list:
ThesebookswillbeonreserveatLamont.Notethatmanagementbookstendtobevery
expensive,andIdonotexpectyoutopurchasethem.
M. T. Clanchy, England and its Rulers 1066-1307, Willey-Blackwell
(1998) ISBN-10: 1118736230
Jean Richard, Saint Louis: Crusader King of France, Cambridge
University Press (1992) ISBN-10: 0521381568
Sean Field, Isabelle of France: Capetian sanctity and Franciscan
identity in the thirteenth century, University of Notre Dame Press
(1996) ISBN-10: 026802880X
Ernesto J. Poza, Family Business, Cengage Learning (2013) ISBN-10:
1285056825
Herbert Simon, Administrative Behavior, 4th ed. ISBN-10: 0684835827
Gert Hofstede, Cultures Consequences: comparing values, behaviors,
institutions and organizations across nations, Sage publications, (2001)
ISBN-10: 0803973241
William C. Jordan, A Tale of two monasteries: Westminster and Saint
Denis in the thirteenth century, Princeton University Press (2011)
ISBN-10: 0691150060
Georges Duby, France in the Middle Ages, Willey-Blackwell (1993)
ISBN-10: 0631189459
John Baldwin, The Government of Philip Augustus, University of
California Press (1991) ISBN-10: 0520073916

Week 1
Week of Jan 26th
Introduction: the firm and the dynasty

Week 2
Week of Feb 2nd
Readings:
Georges Duby, France in The Middle Ages, 1-33
Herbert Simon, Administrative Behavior, Ch. I, II, III
Pramodita Sharmaet al., 25 years of Family Business Review, Family
Business review 2012 (isites)

Week 3
Week of Feb 9th
Readings:
Clanchy, England and its rulers, 23-60
Herbert Simon, Administrative behavior, ch. IV & V pay special
attention to the commentary on those chapters added for the 4th
edition
Chua, Jess H., James J. Chrisman, and Pramodita Sharma. "Defining the
family business by behavior." Entrepreneurship theory and practice 23
(1999): 19-40(isites)

Week 4
Week of Feb 16th
Herbert Simon, Administrative behavior, Ch. VI
Georges Duby, France in the Middle Ages, 153-182
Ivan Lansberg , the Succession conspiracy, Family Business Review
1988 (isites)

Week 5
Week of Feb 23rd
Duby, France in the Middle Ages, 207-230
On the instruction of a Prince: The Upbringing of Henry, the Young
King, Matthew Strickland (isites)
Erciclia Garcia-Alvarez, Socialization pattern of successors in first to
second generation family businesses, Family Business Review 2002
(isites)
Simon, Administrative behavior, Ch VII, VIII

Week 6
Week of March 2nd

Readings:
Clanchy, England and its rulers,99-136
Georges Duby, France in the Middle Ages, 182-207
Simon, Administrative behavior, IX, X, XI

Week 7
Week of March 9th

Readings:
Edmund king, The Accession of Henry II, in New perspectives on
Henry II (isites)
Jean Dunbadin, Henry II and Louis VII, in New perspectives on Henry
II (isites)
Georges Duby, Marriage in the twelfth century, 25-81 (isites)
Kimberly Edelston,Commentary: the prequel to family firm culture and
stewardship: the leadership perspective of the founder,
Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 2008 (isites)

Week 8
Week of March 23rd
Readings:
Clanchy, England and its rulers, 198-214
John Baldwin, The Government of Philip Augustus, 82-87
Hofstede, Cultures Consequences, 1-73, 373-414

Week 9:
Week of March 30th
Readings:
Hofstede, Cultures consequences, 79-137
William Jordan, A Tale of two monasteries (book)

Week 10
Week of April 6th
When the Heir is a child: coalition building
Readings:
Clanchy, England and its rulers, King John and the Minority of Henry
III, 214-243
Excerpts from Matthew Paris (isite)
Hofstede, 145-209

Week 11
Week of April 13th
Readings:
Clanchy, England and its rulers, 248-305
Sean S. Field, Isabelle of France, 161-180
Excerpts from Jean de Joinville, life of Saint Louis (isite)
Hoftede, 209-279

Week 12
Week of April 20th
Readings:
Louis IX, Ordinance for the reform of the realm, 1255 (isite)
Hofstede, 351-370

Week 13
Week of April 27th
Readings:
Excerpts from Joseph Strayer, The reign of Philip The Fair (isite)
Elizabeth A. R. Brown, The political reprecussions of family ties in the
early fourteenth century: the marriage of Edward II of France and
Isabelle of France (isite)
Hofstede, 279-351