ABSTRACT

In a narrow sense, this essay is meant to encourage business historians to consider (and reconsider) the variety of public and private reports, which can provide insights into the operation of firms and industries. U.S. bank examiner reports tell us about how nineteenth century banks operated within a Republican political economy; European Union reports shine light on the differences and similarities between firms operating in various national markets and their relationship to increased economic integration; equity analyst reports present a forensic financial analysis while also revealing a company’s history. More broadly, this essay is also an invitation to reflect on reports as a nexus of surveillance and power. Indeed, such paperwork is power (the tricky bit is figuring out just what sort of power it is, and who wields it).

摘要

从狭义上讲，本文旨在鼓励商业历史学家考虑（并重新考虑）各种公共和私人报告，这些报告可以提供对公司和行业运营的见解。美国银行审查员的报告告诉我们十九世纪的银行是如何在共和党政治经济中运作的；欧盟报告揭示了在不同国家市场运营的公司之间的差异和相似之处及其与加强经济一体化的关系；股票分析师报告提供了法证财务分析，同时也揭示了公司的历史。更广泛地说，这篇文章也邀请人们反思报告作为监视和权力的关系。事实上，这样的文书工作就是权力（棘手的一点是弄清楚它到底是什么样的权力，以及谁在行使它）。