With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

US takes company histories more seriously than UK

US companies take their corporate history far more seriously than most of their UK counterparts, according to a study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

American companies are more likely to draw attention to official published histories on their websites, more likely to invest in historically-orientated visitor attractions or museums, such as The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, and more likely to publish official histories.

By taking a more low-key approach to their corporate past, UK companies may be failing to capitalise on a range of potential business benefits, argues researcher Professor Michael Rowlinson of Queen Mary College, University of London.

“Clearly visitor attractions can be businesses in their own right,” said Prof Rowlinson.

“But more importantly, many customers put some store by the fact that a company has a long and recognisable history,” he added.
Read entire article at http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk