The International Business Archives Handbook

This book contains the wisdom of some of the world's best specialists in the field of business archives. They have arduously assembled a wealth of information which makes it easy to set up a new business archive and to nurture it to becoming a useful asset for its sponsors. This book should be compulsory reading not only for archivists but also for business leaders who are interested in managing the continuity of their businesses. Alexander L. Bieri, Chair, Section on Business Archives, International Council on Archives Business archivists are unsung heroes. They are the guardians of the secrets of how capitalist enterprises in the past have driven innovation and created wealth. This impressive volume brings together both professional archivists and business historians to provide a robust and compelling intellectual foundation for the successful management of business archives in the digital age. Geoffrey Jones, Harvard Business School, Harvard University, USA This ambitious book fills an important gap in the archival literature, starting with context-setting essays and moving through both academic analyses and pragmatic advice on the fundamentals of managing business archives. The editor and authors are to be congratulated for providing the most in-depth examination of business archives issues in decades - perhaps ever. Students, experienced practitioners, and business executives considering an investment in business archives should consider this book a 'must read.' Elizabeth Adkins, Former President of the Society of American Archivists The book brings together practical and stimulating contributions from leading business archivists and business historians. In its breadth of scope and coverage, it will undoubtedly become the standard reference work on the nature and context of business archives, their management and their use. Michael Anson, Chair, Business Archives Council, UK This volume helps fill a 20-year gap in the professional archival literature related to business archives. Of equal importance, however, it provides lessons learned and best practices for archives of all types. All too often, business archivists find themselves talking to one another. With this volume, the conversation should expand to archivists of all types on both sides of the Atlantic. Gregory S. Hunter, Long Island University, USA; Editor-in-Chief, The American Archivist As reputations have become the most important corporate asset, business archives have become the tangible legacy of public trust. This volume brings together historians and archivists to show how to get value from corporate records. A practical guide on these invaluable resources, this handbook helps business executives better manage the future by leveraging their past. Christopher McKenna, Said Business School, University of Oxford, UK