ABSTRACT
Northwestern Bakeries Limited was an independent family bakery which, in the course of two generations, had grown from a north-country back-kitchen baking shop into a flourishing business with 1,000 employees. The present generation of family directors held managerial positions in the firm. They had been educated at English universities and American business schools, and were eager to make technical and managerial innovations in the business. They were also keen to maintain the traditions of a benevolent family firm, and were concerned about the impact of growth on employees.
