DEC Is Dead, Long Live DEC

The narrative explores the rise and fall of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), a pioneer in computing that introduced innovations like the minicomputer and networking. Despite its early success and significant contributions, DEC's unique organizational culture, shaped by founder Ken Olsen, became a hindrance, leading to its eventual decline and sale to Compaq. Edgar Schein, with insider access, examines how deeply embedded cultures can obstruct adaptation to change, offering a cautionary tale relevant to contemporary organizations and the ongoing debate about business longevity versus quick sales.