Information management in East Germany: A message for the west

摘要

The East German economy was totally controlled by the State from the birth of the country in 1949 to reunification in 1990. Companies operated and developed in an unreal market environment, with all their market information being modified by the State. This paper briefs the reader on the structure and operation of the centrally planned economy, and examines the situation of one company trading under that regime. From this analysis conclusions are drawn regarding the lessons the East German experience may offer Western industry.