Patterns of evolution and technological style of electric utilities in Argentina, 1880-1958

di Norma S. Lanciotti
in Memoria e Ricerca n.s. 36 (2011), p. 77

The article compares the historical development of urban utilities in the cities of Buenos Aires, Rosario and Córdoba, focusing on the relation between markets, firms and technology. Based on governmental reports and statistics, annual reports and company files, it analyzes the evolution of electric utilities in Argentina from the creation of urban networks by foreign companies until the nationalization of the systems. The comparative analysis of the types of investment, the technological styles and the firms strategies in different markets shows the effects on the structure of Argentinean electric utility system caused by two distinct patterns of investment.