The Rural Entrepreneurs: A History of the Stock and Station Agent Industry in Australia and New Zealand [Hardcover]

"...Rural Entrepreneurs offers many important new insights into the internal workings of a prime sector of the economy and, in good style, raises a few more questions requiring further investigation. The book is thoroughly researched, detailed, and well written. It is attractively produced and its arguments are usefully supported by clear charts, diagrams, and illustrations. Rural Entrepreneurs should be of interest to both business and economic historians concerned with the nuts and bolts of microeconomic behavior and the development of service industries." Business History Review

Stock and station agents have been a key driving force behind rural-led economic development in Australia and New Zealand. By providing remote and inexperienced farmers with vital finance, marketing, and technical services and advice through expansion and crisis, they have filled an entrepreneurial gap. In the twentieth century, the leading agents expanded their range of activities and became some of Australasia's earliest nationwide firms and biggest businesses. The Rural Entrepreneurs provides new insights in understanding Australasia's rural history and economic development.

Stock and station agents have been a key driving force behind rural-led economic development in Australia and New Zealand. By providing remote and inexperienced farmers with vital finance, marketing, and technical services and advice through expansion and crisis, they have filled an entrepreneurial gap. In the twentieth century, the leading agents expanded their range of activities and became some of Australasia's earliest nationwide firms and biggest businesses.The Rural Entrepreneurs provides new insights in understanding Australasia's rural history and economic development.