Firm, Industry and Institutional Dimensions of the Glassmaking Industry in Venice: The Case of Barovier & Toso

The aim of this chapter is to study the case of a company (Barovier & Toso) that was founded and developed in the Venice glassmaking industry. Barovier & Toso was started in 1295 and is the oldest glassmaking company still in operation (and the sixth oldest family business in the world). The chapter provides a comprehensive description of the company and of the institutional landscape of the glassmaking industry. More specifically, our study covers the characteristics of the institutional system of the Republic of Venice, as concerns the regulation of the glassmaking industry. It then focuses on the evolution and development of the glassmaking industry and the specific case of Barovier. Our analysis allows us to identify some interesting relationships between the institutional and economic landscape and the activities of Barovier & Toso.