ABSTRACT
The largest and most dynamic family businesses have continually taken their initial concept and run with it to new areas of excellence. The structural changes of the dynasties in the twentieth century have followed the general evolution in the Western world. The lack of an overall strategy or clear relationship between the various business areas became an insurmountable obstacle. Conglomerates have their own theoretical rationale and a major impact on corporate organization in the Western world. Business groups in the Nordic countries have emerged as a combination of cooperative capitalism, national economic goals and export orientation. The network of Lukas and Albert Bonnier Jr. had a clear hierarchy in the sense of fulfilling various functions within the group. The history of Nordic dynasties suggests that excessive regard to tradition can be devastating. Conservatism is part of the historical roots and can bind the operations in a negative way at a time where the push of the market moves competitors forward.
