Values and the Changing of Values during the 20th Century: Century of the manager - Values and changing values of executive employees in German economy 1900-1990.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Rödder
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History
• Term: from 2009 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 119666385

The aim of the study is to establish a genuine historical analysis of values in economy, based on empirical data and methodological reflection. For this purpose the economic principles, leadership concepts and labour values of the executive employees will be analysed. The social group of the executive employees has been almost completely ignored by historiography, despite the fact that this group has increased in number and economic importance since Industrialisation. With the example of this group, value change in economy will be investigated on three levels: on the level of executive employees and their internal discourse; on the level of society as a whole and its general discourse on economic leaders; and thirdly, on the level of corporations, using six specific examples. A diachronic perspective will be achieved with the help of five case studies to bring the century of the manager into focus.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants