Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov,
Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia, e‑mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Porcelain Production in Russia: The Evolution of the Kornilov Family Business in the 19th – Early 20th Century
DOI: 10.31518/2618-9100-2023-5-7
In the present article, the data from history of porcelain production in Russia are utilized to study the role of representatives of Kornilov dynasty in evolution of the family business in the 19th – early 20th century. Innovative orientation of the plant, family character of management and hereditary property rights are viewed as important factors underpinning Kornilov Brothers Company’s production and commercial operations success. It is shown that the interest in maintaining partnerships was decisive in the late 19th – early 20th century. This interest started to take shape in the 1880s when personality criteria were progressively replaced by financial and managerial criteria. The timing coincides with notable organizational and technological changes in industrial business. Received data suggest that, in the search for a long-term goals of family firm, business needs have replaced personal preferences. The innovations generated and adopted by company, whether involving methods of coloring porcelain or the use of genre pictures, not only introduced new creative possibilities but also allowed for a wider profitability of operations. In order to generate economic success, Kornilov brothers developed new sales-management instruments that supported a significant change in the business orientation, leading them to shift from their earlier emphasis on production of decorative porcelain to a stronger focus on consumers of electrical products. Eventually, the relatives have been able to integrate technological knowledge and financial resources into their own organizational capabilities, enabling them to compete successfully in Russian market. On the other hand, the success of the family business was largely due to the company’s balanced relations with State Bank and foreign consumers. As a consequence, Kornilov Brothers Company highlights the professional competence of owners in managing large, complex technical and technological projects, capable of navigating their way through various market situations, and adept at turning to whichever organizational form best suited their business interests.
Publishing: 28/10/2023
The article has been received by the editor on 20/07/2023
How to cite: Baryshnikov M.N. Porcelain Production in Russia: The Evolution of the Kornilov Family Business in the 19th – Early 20th Century // Historical Courier, 2023, No. 5 (31), pp. 109–119. [Available online: http://istkurier.ru/data/2023/ISTKURIER-2023-5-07.pdf]
Links: Issue 5 2023
Keywords: porcelain; Kornilov; firm; family business; owners; management; interests; entrepreneurship; industry