ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some context to the development of international business with reference to how organisations changed, the processes of decision making and identification of issues surrounding international business. It outlines the development of transport and communications that has facilitated the development of an international economy by reducing the cost of transacting, while increasing its geographical scope, making it easier for instance to arrange finance internationally. The chapter focuses on the business side of international management and business history as a foundation and introduction, although there are also areas of political, social and cultural history that will be informed by the study of international business. It introduces the nature of international economic activity before providing a chronology that defines how the organisation of corporations changed over time. The chapter briefly explores the historic structure of British company law and associated financial reporting.
