Abstract

"The Formation of the U.S. Railroad Companies’ Network in the 1850s"

Aya TANAKA, Shiga University (r201370181ed@jindai.jp)

This study examines the formation of the network of the United States (U.S.) railroad companies from 1850 to 1859. During this period, several railroad companies obtained financing from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and other nations. This study focuses on the development of U.S. railroad companies during this era and their network formation.
These companies needed to build several networks. Therefore, first, they obtained funding from both domestic and international sources. Consequently, when many railroad companies issued railroad bonds and stocks, the network grew further. Second, the top management of these companies was related to railroad companies or railroad-related industries etc. Finally, these companies learned how to function as leaders.
This study aims to understand how these companies formed a network and how it affected their finances and business. Furthermore, this study will reveal how these companies would establish a business-to-business (B-to-B) network. Subsequently, many railroad companies in the United States made extensive use of a network of personal contacts irrespective of its positive or negative effects on railroad business in this age. This study also investigates how network structure is planned, how it works, how to assemble a railway network in the U.S.
Thus, this study will focus on the development of the U.S. railroad business, which led to the emergence of company managers as capitalists. The U.S. railroad companies acquired domestic and international funding; thus, the railroad network developed business.
Although the railroad network led to industrial growth, it had the disadvantage of putting companies in debt.
The study will analyze the network of the U.S. railroad companies and its effect on the condition of industries and management.