The Trolley Car Company of Mexico City and the Absence of Institutionalized Accounting: 1940-1943

This thesis reveals that during 1940-1943 the Trolley Car Company of Mexico City haphazardly recorded its expenses and revenue and did not adhere to any accounting regulations. Utilizing never before analyzed source material, including company expense reports from 1940, 1941 and 1942, this thesis brings to light a new discussion regarding Mexican industrial development and the Mexican labor movement. Accounting practices, or the lack thereof, not only impacted the company, which can be seen within the reports, but it also impacted labor negotiations and the company’s relationship with the Mexican government.