Overcoming institutional voids:Maisons spécialesand the internationalisation of proto-modern brands

This article explores the role of institutional voids in the internationalisation of proto-modern brands in London from the mid-1820s through to the early 1850s. Internationalising firms addressed institutional deficiencies in the market through the establishment of retail operations identified here as international maisons spéciales and by adopting marketing strategies designed to legitimate their proto-modern brands. Together, these...