Mission & History
Groups of Interest and Other Resources
The Business History Conference (BHC) is a scholarly organization devoted to encouraging all aspects of research, writing, and teaching about business history and about the environment in which businesses operate. Since its founding in 1954, the BHC has grown to include members from around the world, with 40% residing outside North America.
Our Mission
At its core, the BHC is committed to fostering a global, inclusive, and multidisciplinary understanding of business history and its role in shaping society. Based at the Center for the History of Business, Technology, and Society at the Hagley Library, the BHC's organization is supported by:
Secretary: Vicki Howard; Treasurer: Roger Horowitz; Hagley Center Coordinator: Carol Lockman; Senior Web Administrator: Shane Hamilton; Web Administrator: Rahima Schwenkbeck; Digital Editor: Paula de la Cruz-Fernández
Publications and Resources
- Enterprise & Society: A quarterly, peer-reviewed journal exploring diverse aspects of business history.
- The Exchange: A dynamic blog highlighting news and insights for business and economic historians.
- H-Business: One of the earliest H-Net discussion lists, fostering community and scholarly exchange.
- [Discontinued] Business and Economic History: Up to 2000, a full-text archive of past proceedings; 2001-19, selected papers from BHC annual meetings.
Events and Community
The BHC’s annual meeting is a vibrant forum for sharing cutting-edge research, building networks, and exchanging ideas. The organization actively encourages international participation and frequently collaborates with the European Business History Association.
Grants and Awards
To support scholars, the BHC offers various grants and awards, including:
- The Hagley Prize in Business History
- The Scranton Best Journal Article Prize
- Chandler Travel-to-Meeting Grants for emerging scholars
- Ralph Gomory Prize
- Anne Fleming Article Prize
- Herman E. Krooss Prize for Best Dissertation in Business History
- K. Austin Kerr Prize
- Martha Moore Trescott Prize
- Mira Wilkins Prize
- Henry Kaufman Financial History Fellowship Program
- The Doctoral Dissertation Colloquium
Groups of Interest and Other Resources
Partnerships and Affiliations
The BHC is a proud member of the International Economic History Association and an affiliate of the American Historical Association and H-Net.