A Review of the New Literature on Business History

Yet again in 1987 there was a great interest in business history in the Federal Republic of Germany and this is not only evident in the large number and the high quality of the publications. The enterprises themselves have become aware that their history is part of the business culture and should be used to develop a corporate identity. A large number of commemorative publications from enterprises is also an indicator of a good economic situation. Considering the substantial time and financial effort involved, an enterprise’s decision to produce such a commemorative paper is because of financial reasons certainly more easily made during an economic boom than during a period when the business has to concentrate all its efforts on overcoming a fall in sales. In addition to this an enterprise would probably prefer to write a “success story” than a history of a crisis. The continuous good economic conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany evidently provide a reason for the busy publication activity of enterprises for their jubilees, but also for publishers to publish business historical works written by scientists. With approximately 275 business history publications which appeared in 1987 there were published less than in the two preceding years, but there still was a continuation of the trend already apparent in the preceding years of an increasing number of business historical publications being written without an order from an enterprise. About 164 business historical papers resulted from a contract with an enterprise or association, 111 — more than ever before — were independent of such sponsorship.