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The Ups and Downs of Family Life: Det Norske Nitridaktieselskap, 1912–1976

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2015

Espen Storli  and
David Brégaint
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Abstract

The current literature on international joint ventures pays considerable attention to why joint ventures are established or why they are dissolved, but we lack studies that give insight into their dynamic development. The aim of this article is to investigate the evolution of an international joint venture over time. We confront some of the theoretical insights developed during the last decades with the dramatic history of the aluminum producer Det Norske Nitridaktieselskap (DNN). The company was established shortly beforeWorld War I and was finally disbanded over seventy years later. For most of this time, DNN was an international joint venture with shifting ownership configurations. This gives us the possibility not only to discuss the motivation for why the company was established or why it was dissolved, but also to study the mid-life of the company. What was DNN's role within the general corporate strategies of the owners? Did this role change over time?

Type
Articles
Information
Enterprise & Society , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , December 2009 , pp. 763 - 790
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2009. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Business History Conference. All rights reserved.

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References

Bibliography of Works Cited

Berntsen, Harald. Trekk av Stokkens historie ca. 1600–1962. Eydehavn, Norway: Naper, 1981.Google Scholar
Born, Karl Erich. Internationale Kartellierung einer neuen Industrie: Die Aluminium-Association 1901–1915. Stuttgart, Germany: Franz Steiner, 1994.Google Scholar
Bracewell, Smith. Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium. London: Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, 1962.Google Scholar
Cailluet, Ludovic. Strategies, structures d’organisation et pratiques de gestion de Pechiney des annees 1880 a 1971. These, £niversite Louis Lumiere Lyon II, 1995.Google Scholar
Campbell, Duncan. Global Mission: The Story of Alcan, 3 volumes. Toronto, Canada: Ontario Publishing Co., 1985–1990.Google Scholar
Furre, Berge. Norsk historie 1905–1990. Oslo, Norway: Det Norske Samlaget, 1993.Google Scholar
Gignoux, Paul. Historie d’une entreprise française. Paris: Hachette, 1955.Google Scholar
Hachez-Leroy, Florence. L’Aluminium Francais. L’invention d’un marche. Paris: CNRS Edition, 1999.Google Scholar
Harrigan, Kathryn. Managing for Joint Venture Success. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1986.Google Scholar
Huber, Max, and Weisz, Leo. Geschichte der Aluminium-Industrie-Aktien-Gesellschaft Neuhausen, 1888–1938, 2 volumes. Zürich, Switzerland: Gebr. Fretz, 1942.Google Scholar
Innvik, Petter Erik, and KamsvËig, John L. Verket: Sunndal Verks historie gjennom 40 ar. Sunndal, Norway: Hydro Aluminium, 1993.Google Scholar
Johannessen, Finn, Asle R0nning and Pâl Thonstad Sandvik. Hydros Historie 1905–2005. Nasjonal kontroll og industriell fornyelse. Hydro 1945–1977, vol. 2. Oslo, Norway: Pax, 2005.Google Scholar
Kollenborg, Egil. Det Norske Nitridaktieselskap 1912–1962. Oslo, Norway: Rambks trykkeri, 1962.Google Scholar
Pitaval, Robert. Histoire de l’aluminium: Metal de la victoire. Paris: Publications Minieres et Metallurgiques, 1946.Google Scholar
Rinde, Harald. Utenlandske interesserinorskaluminiumsindustri 1908–1990. Sandvika, Norway: Handelshøyskolen BI, 1996.Google Scholar
Røsjø, Ellen. Krafta er var! Kampen om Tyssedal ca. 1970–1987. Tyssedal, Norway: Bergen Trykk, 1988.Google Scholar
Smith, George D. From Monopoly to Competition: The Transformations of Alcoa. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press, 1988.Google Scholar
Stocking, George W. and Watkins, Myron W. Cartels in Action: Case Studies in International Business Diplomacy. New York: The Twentieth Century Fund, 1946.Google Scholar
Stuckey, John A. Vertical Integration and Joint Ventures in the Aluminium Industry. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1983.Google Scholar
Wallace, Donald. Market Control in the Aluminium Industry. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1937.Google Scholar
Bregaint, David. “‘Det uønskede barnet’, Pechineys norske datterselskap DNN 1913–1958.” In Globalisert gj’ennom et arhundre: erfaringer fra norsk alu–miniumsindustri, red. H. O. Frøland, 101–35. Bergen, Norway: Fagbokforlaget, 2008.Google Scholar
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Kogut, Bruce. “A Study of the Life Cycle of Joint Ventures.” In Cooperative Strategies in International Business, edited by Contractor, F.J. and Lorange, Peter, 39–52. Lexington, MA: Lexington Press, 1988.Google Scholar
Morsel, Henri. “Pechiney et le plan Marshall.” In Le Plan Marshall et le relevement economique de l’Europe Comite pour l’histoire economique et financiere (CHEFF), 291–8. CHEFF, 1993.Google Scholar
Walker, George. “Network Analysis for Cooperative Interfirm Relationships.” In Cooperative Strategies in International Business, edited by Contractor, F.J. and Lorange, Peter, 227–40. Lexington, MA.: Lexington Press, 1988.Google Scholar
Bonfils, Rene. “Pechiney au pays des Vikings, 1912–1958.” Cahiers d’histoire de l’aluminium 27 (200/2001): 18–42.Google Scholar
Boyce, Gordon, and Lepper, Larry. “Assessing Information Quality Theories: The USSCo. Joint Venture with William Holyman & Sons and Huddart Parker Ltd, 1904–35.” Business History 44, no. 4 (2002): 85–120.Google Scholar
Buckley, Peter J. and Casson, Mark C. “Analyzing Foreign Market Entry Strategies: Extending the Internalization Approach.” Journal of International Business Studies 29, no. 3 (1998): 539–61.Google Scholar
Cailluet, Ludovic. “The British Aluminium Industry, 1945–80s: Chronicles of a Death Foretold?” Accounting, Business & Financial History 11, no. 1 (2001): 79–97.Google Scholar
Dussauge, Pierre, Garrette, Bernard, and Mitchell, Will. “Learning from Competing Partners: Outcomes and Durations of Scale and Link Alliances in Europe, North America and Asia.” Strategic Management Journal 21, no. 2 (2000): 99–126.Google Scholar
Geringer, J. Michael, and Hebert, Louis. “Control and Performance of International Joint Ventures.” Journal of International Business Studies 20, no. 2 (1989): 235–54.Google Scholar
Hennart, Jean-Francois. “A Transaction Costs Theory of Equity Joint Ventures.” Strategic Management Journal 9, no. 4 (1988): 361–74.Google Scholar
Inkpen, Andrew C., and Beamish, Paul W. “Knowledge, Bargaining Power, and the Instability of International Joint Ventures,” The Academy of Management Review 22, no. 1 (1997): 177–202.Google Scholar
Kent, David. “Joint Ventures vs. Non-Joint Ventures: An Empirical Investigation.” Strategic Management Journal 12, no. 5 (1991): 387–93.Google Scholar
Kogut, Bruce. “Joint Ventures: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives,” Strategic Management Journal 9, no. 4 (1988): 319–32.Google Scholar
Levenstein, Margaret C., and Suslow, Valerie Y. “What Determines Cartel Success?”, Journal of Economic Literature 44 (March, 2006): 43–95.Google Scholar
Parkhe, Arvind. “‘Messy’ Research, Methodological Predispositions, and Theory Development in International Joint Ventures.” Academy of Management Review 18 no. 2 (1993): 227–68.Google Scholar
Reus, Taco H., and Ritchie, William, J. III. “Interpartner, Parent, and Environmental Factors Influencing the Operation of International Joint Ventures: 15 Years of Research.” Management International Review 44, no. 4 (2004): 369–95.Google Scholar
Yan, Amin. “Structural Stability and Reconfiguration of International Joint Ventures.” Journal of International Business Studies 29, no. 4 (1998): 773–95.Google Scholar
Yan, Amin, and Zeng, Ming. “International Joint Venture Instability: A Critique of Previous Research, A Reconceptualization, and Directions for Future Research.” Journal of International Business Studies 30, no. 2 (1999): 397–414.Google Scholar
DNN Aluminium A/S archive, Norges Vasskraft- og Industristadmuseum, Tyssedal.Google Scholar
Pechiney archive, Archives Alcan, Paris.Google Scholar
Hydro Historical records, Notodden.Google Scholar
ASV Top-management archive.Google Scholar
ASV Archive.Google Scholar
Glasgow University Archive Services.Google Scholar
British Alcan archive (British Aluminium Company), UGD 347.Google Scholar
Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh.Google Scholar
Records of the Aluminum Company of America, MSS #282.Google Scholar
Arbeiderbevegelsens Arkiv og Bibliotek, Oslo.Google Scholar
Erik Brofoss, personal papers, ARK–1764.Google Scholar
Stortingsforhandlinger. 1974–75. St. prp nr. 151. Om kjøp av aksjer i DNN Aluminium A/S.Google Scholar
Stortingstidende. 1975. Kjøp av aksjer i DNN Aluminium A/S, 7th June.Google Scholar
Berntsen, Harald. Trekk av Stokkens historie ca. 1600–1962. Eydehavn, Norway: Naper, 1981.Google Scholar
Born, Karl Erich. Internationale Kartellierung einer neuen Industrie: Die Aluminium-Association 1901–1915. Stuttgart, Germany: Franz Steiner, 1994.Google Scholar
Bracewell, Smith. Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium. London: Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, 1962.Google Scholar
Cailluet, Ludovic. Strategies, structures d’organisation et pratiques de gestion de Pechiney des annees 1880 a 1971. These, £niversite Louis Lumiere Lyon II, 1995.Google Scholar
Campbell, Duncan. Global Mission: The Story of Alcan, 3 volumes. Toronto, Canada: Ontario Publishing Co., 1985–1990.Google Scholar
Furre, Berge. Norsk historie 1905–1990. Oslo, Norway: Det Norske Samlaget, 1993.Google Scholar
Gignoux, Paul. Historie d’une entreprise française. Paris: Hachette, 1955.Google Scholar
Hachez-Leroy, Florence. L’Aluminium Francais. L’invention d’un marche. Paris: CNRS Edition, 1999.Google Scholar
Harrigan, Kathryn. Managing for Joint Venture Success. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1986.Google Scholar
Huber, Max, and Weisz, Leo. Geschichte der Aluminium-Industrie-Aktien-Gesellschaft Neuhausen, 1888–1938, 2 volumes. Zürich, Switzerland: Gebr. Fretz, 1942.Google Scholar
Innvik, Petter Erik, and KamsvËig, John L. Verket: Sunndal Verks historie gjennom 40 ar. Sunndal, Norway: Hydro Aluminium, 1993.Google Scholar
Johannessen, Finn, Asle R0nning and Pâl Thonstad Sandvik. Hydros Historie 1905–2005. Nasjonal kontroll og industriell fornyelse. Hydro 1945–1977, vol. 2. Oslo, Norway: Pax, 2005.Google Scholar
Kollenborg, Egil. Det Norske Nitridaktieselskap 1912–1962. Oslo, Norway: Rambks trykkeri, 1962.Google Scholar
Pitaval, Robert. Histoire de l’aluminium: Metal de la victoire. Paris: Publications Minieres et Metallurgiques, 1946.Google Scholar
Rinde, Harald. Utenlandske interesserinorskaluminiumsindustri 1908–1990. Sandvika, Norway: Handelshøyskolen BI, 1996.Google Scholar
Røsjø, Ellen. Krafta er var! Kampen om Tyssedal ca. 1970–1987. Tyssedal, Norway: Bergen Trykk, 1988.Google Scholar
Smith, George D. From Monopoly to Competition: The Transformations of Alcoa. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press, 1988.Google Scholar
Stocking, George W. and Watkins, Myron W. Cartels in Action: Case Studies in International Business Diplomacy. New York: The Twentieth Century Fund, 1946.Google Scholar
Stuckey, John A. Vertical Integration and Joint Ventures in the Aluminium Industry. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1983.Google Scholar
Wallace, Donald. Market Control in the Aluminium Industry. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1937.Google Scholar
Bregaint, David. “‘Det uønskede barnet’, Pechineys norske datterselskap DNN 1913–1958.” In Globalisert gj’ennom et arhundre: erfaringer fra norsk alu–miniumsindustri, red. H. O. Frøland, 101–35. Bergen, Norway: Fagbokforlaget, 2008.Google Scholar
Kobberrød, Jan Thomas. “Norsk oksid—en nøkkel til suksess?.” In Globalisert gjennom et arhundre: erfaringer fra norsk aluminiumsindustri red. H.O. Frøland, 136–71. Bergen, Norway: Farbokforlaget, 2008.Google Scholar
Kogut, Bruce. “A Study of the Life Cycle of Joint Ventures.” In Cooperative Strategies in International Business, edited by Contractor, F.J. and Lorange, Peter, 39–52. Lexington, MA: Lexington Press, 1988.Google Scholar
Morsel, Henri. “Pechiney et le plan Marshall.” In Le Plan Marshall et le relevement economique de l’Europe Comite pour l’histoire economique et financiere (CHEFF), 291–8. CHEFF, 1993.Google Scholar
Walker, George. “Network Analysis for Cooperative Interfirm Relationships.” In Cooperative Strategies in International Business, edited by Contractor, F.J. and Lorange, Peter, 227–40. Lexington, MA.: Lexington Press, 1988.Google Scholar
Bonfils, Rene. “Pechiney au pays des Vikings, 1912–1958.” Cahiers d’histoire de l’aluminium 27 (200/2001): 18–42.Google Scholar
Boyce, Gordon, and Lepper, Larry. “Assessing Information Quality Theories: The USSCo. Joint Venture with William Holyman & Sons and Huddart Parker Ltd, 1904–35.” Business History 44, no. 4 (2002): 85–120.Google Scholar
Buckley, Peter J. and Casson, Mark C. “Analyzing Foreign Market Entry Strategies: Extending the Internalization Approach.” Journal of International Business Studies 29, no. 3 (1998): 539–61.Google Scholar
Cailluet, Ludovic. “The British Aluminium Industry, 1945–80s: Chronicles of a Death Foretold?” Accounting, Business & Financial History 11, no. 1 (2001): 79–97.Google Scholar
Dussauge, Pierre, Garrette, Bernard, and Mitchell, Will. “Learning from Competing Partners: Outcomes and Durations of Scale and Link Alliances in Europe, North America and Asia.” Strategic Management Journal 21, no. 2 (2000): 99–126.Google Scholar
Geringer, J. Michael, and Hebert, Louis. “Control and Performance of International Joint Ventures.” Journal of International Business Studies 20, no. 2 (1989): 235–54.Google Scholar
Hennart, Jean-Francois. “A Transaction Costs Theory of Equity Joint Ventures.” Strategic Management Journal 9, no. 4 (1988): 361–74.Google Scholar
Inkpen, Andrew C., and Beamish, Paul W. “Knowledge, Bargaining Power, and the Instability of International Joint Ventures,” The Academy of Management Review 22, no. 1 (1997): 177–202.Google Scholar
Kent, David. “Joint Ventures vs. Non-Joint Ventures: An Empirical Investigation.” Strategic Management Journal 12, no. 5 (1991): 387–93.Google Scholar
Kogut, Bruce. “Joint Ventures: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives,” Strategic Management Journal 9, no. 4 (1988): 319–32.Google Scholar
Levenstein, Margaret C., and Suslow, Valerie Y. “What Determines Cartel Success?”, Journal of Economic Literature 44 (March, 2006): 43–95.Google Scholar
Parkhe, Arvind. “‘Messy’ Research, Methodological Predispositions, and Theory Development in International Joint Ventures.” Academy of Management Review 18 no. 2 (1993): 227–68.Google Scholar
Reus, Taco H., and Ritchie, William, J. III. “Interpartner, Parent, and Environmental Factors Influencing the Operation of International Joint Ventures: 15 Years of Research.” Management International Review 44, no. 4 (2004): 369–95.Google Scholar
Yan, Amin. “Structural Stability and Reconfiguration of International Joint Ventures.” Journal of International Business Studies 29, no. 4 (1998): 773–95.Google Scholar
Yan, Amin, and Zeng, Ming. “International Joint Venture Instability: A Critique of Previous Research, A Reconceptualization, and Directions for Future Research.” Journal of International Business Studies 30, no. 2 (1999): 397–414.Google Scholar
DNN Aluminium A/S archive, Norges Vasskraft- og Industristadmuseum, Tyssedal.Google Scholar
Pechiney archive, Archives Alcan, Paris.Google Scholar
Hydro Historical records, Notodden.Google Scholar
ASV Top-management archive.Google Scholar
ASV Archive.Google Scholar
Glasgow University Archive Services.Google Scholar
British Alcan archive (British Aluminium Company), UGD 347.Google Scholar
Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh.Google Scholar
Records of the Aluminum Company of America, MSS #282.Google Scholar
Arbeiderbevegelsens Arkiv og Bibliotek, Oslo.Google Scholar
Erik Brofoss, personal papers, ARK–1764.Google Scholar
Stortingsforhandlinger. 1974–75. St. prp nr. 151. Om kjøp av aksjer i DNN Aluminium A/S.Google Scholar
Stortingstidende. 1975. Kjøp av aksjer i DNN Aluminium A/S, 7th June.Google Scholar