The Museumification of Corporate History: Between Communication Conveyor and Storage

Abstract

This paper explores the role of corporate museums within contemporary Russian companies, particularly focusing on how they handle corporate history. It delves into the complex nature of these institutions, which exist at the intersection of preserving historical heritage and serving managerial goals to shape corporate identity and image. The research is based on extensive interviews with museum professionals and senior managers, along with the author's observations. The results show that Russian corporate museums are multifaceted, serving various functions such as artifact curation, career guidance, public relations, and hosting delegations. They predominantly engage with the past through "rhetorical history," which involves selectively presenting and idealizing historical narratives to enhance the company's image. Key challenges include the museums' marginal position within corporate structures, limited resources, and a corporate aversion to formalizing their status, largely due to perceived high costs. The analysis reveals that this instrumental approach to corporate history leads museums to function primarily as "showcases of success" rather than as platforms for critically examining the organizational past, including its less favorable aspects.