ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of the book. This book examines overseas business in northern Europe, especially in the Nordic kingdoms during the early stages of their expansion. It discusses five core mechanisms of overseas entrepreneurship: training, specialisation, balancing of connections, knowledge, and violence. Most of the time, these mechanisms overlapped, and they were also context-bound. Collectively, these mechanisms were the driving engine of overseas entrepreneurship. In the Northern European context, companies remained the predominant form of conducting overseas business. Moreover, they remained especially attractive to individuals who were interested in a long-term career and upward social mobility. An actor-centred approach and a comparative perspective on entrepreneurial behaviour are valuable for business history, since they give an alternative outlook on European activities in early modern global history.