Corporate history in a managerial perspective

Purpose - To reflect on corporate history i.e. organizational learning and remembering. Design/methodology/approach - Deliberates on remembering and forgetting at the individual level, then transfers that to the organization. Findings - Reflects on the surfeit of information generated by new information and communication technologies, and technological and organizational progress that has to be dealt with, this sometimes being 'buried' (forgotten) in corporate memory storage (electronic, paper). Argues that past corporate decisions and events should be a resource to enrich mental pictures held by corporate decision makers (DMs) when addressing current and/or future situations. Considers such history affirms identity, and acts as a source of energy, creativity, trust and objectivity for DMs. Presents four different perspectives: history of the corporation; the corporate museum; product history; and, the 'historical-factual accounting record'. Suggests corporate history should capture other events besides the foregoing that are relevant i.e. 'non-accounting accounting'. Exemplifies such activities by pointing to the consultancy websites of The Winthrop Group and Pencorp Group Ltd. Suggests the services they list 'offer far more concrete and effective gains than many fine-sounding knowledge management approaches'. Offers the 'boss's diary' as a concept to gather information on two levels - the know what (e.g. facts, events, decisions) and the know why (thoughts and perceptions underlying decisions). Research limitations/implications - Recognizes the proposals suggested are embryonic and need further conceptualization and research. Originality/value - Makes a case for recording corporate decisions and events in a way that will enrich future decision-making through having an accessible corporate history.