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Business Quote by Stefan Collini

“Future historians, pondering changes in British society from the 1980s onwards, will struggle to account for the following curious fact. Although British business enterprises have an extremely mixed record – frequently posting gigantic losses, mostly failing to match overseas competitors, scarcely…” quote by Stefan Collini
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““Future historians, pondering changes in British society from the 1980s onwards, will struggle to account for the following curious fact. Although British business enterprises have an extremely mixed record – frequently posting gigantic losses, mostly failing to match overseas competitors, scarcely benefiting the weaker groups in society – and although various ‘arm’s length’ public institutions such as museums and galleries, the BBC and the universities have by and large a very good record (universally acknowledged creativity, streets ahead of most of their international peers, positive forces for human development and social cohesion), nonetheless the policies and the rhetoric of the past three decades have overwhelmingly emphasized the need for the second category of institutions to be forced to change so that they more closely resemble the first. Some of those future historians may even wonder why at the time there was so little concerted protest at this deeply implausible programme.””

Stefan Collini

About This Quote

Source Essay: “The Cultural Politics of the New Economy”, 2010

British cultural institutions thrive while business struggles; policy pushes businesses to emulate cultural sector, despite differing missions.

In simple terms: Cultural success vs. business failure; policy misalignment.

Key Takeaway

Recognize sector differences before imposing reforms.

Themes

culture economics policy institutional critique

Mood

analytical critical

Type

sociopolitical academic

When to use this quote

  • government policy
  • business strategy
  • cultural funding

Key Concepts

public value creative industries market failure

Questions to Reflect On

  • Should cultural models be applied to commerce?
  • How to balance creativity with profitability?
A Different Perspective

Policy may ignore market realities, harming businesses.

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