Sears Roebuck was founded in 1892 and endured for126
years, an astonishing record of achievement and survival.
According to Barron's, by 1935, corporate longevity dropped
below 90 years.Then by 2000 it had fallen to 18 years.
Everything, EVERYTHING, in our material world withers and
dies, despite our best laid efforts and plans.
Yet many are shocked, chagrined, angry.........Why???
While that is right, still there is a correlation in there someplace, related to the hostility that corporations must survive.
Corporations, business in general, is supposed to be somewhat ruthless, and I get that. But *none* are managed perfectly... So I think the mismanagement accusation is way overplayed. Likewise your statement that everything withers - That assumes a thing does not, or is incapable of change. Any corporation is capable of becoming 'new' again.
Yes, there are problems with old encrusted corporations being too top-heavy, and unable to be nimble in the face of change...
But more than any other thing, hostility toward capitalism by government, ridiculous regulation and labor demands, and an out-of-control civil suit environment have made any misstep in business a potential and literal disaster. And once that disaster happens, there is nothing but a thin line to walk to recover, which is nearly impossible.
That is why corporations don't last as long as they used to.