Introduction

Recent literature on entrepreneurship stresses the fundamental role played by networks in achieving innovation, competitiveness and internationalization. Networks with an impact on entrepreneurship in a territory oft en are of two kinds: an individual entrepreneur with other entrepreneurs and firms, and a group of firms establishing networks with other firms and institutions. Dynasties are examples of the first type and associations of firms of the second type of networking. Some dynasties have played a determinant role in promoting innovation in some economic sectors and regions of the world, as the Wendels, Haniels and Falcks in the iron and steel industries of Europe, or the Fords and the Toyodas in the organization of the car industry in America and Asia. As economic historian David Landes has outlined, scholars have generally under- estimated the role of dynasties in the advance of entrepreneurship in both developed and underdeveloped economies. Associations of entrepreneurs, on the other hand, have oft en performed a key role as rather stable networks that help reduce information and knowledge transfer costs among small and medium enterprises or that help large corporations monopolize some markets. Academic literature usually studies both kinds of networks in separate ways, but economic and business history reveals that oft en both have played a combined role in promoting entrepreneurial spirit in a territory in the long run. Our chapter offers empirical data and analysis about the role dynasties and associations have performed in fostering entrepreneurship in Catalonia during a period of more than a century.