The real problem with British so-called management is their short-term attitude. Unlike US, German, French and Japanese companies they invariably look for returns in far too short an investment period. If they don't get those returns, they either sell out, or shift production to what used to be third-world countries. Classic example was the-then new owners of MG-Rover - no vast profits in 2 years, so pull the plug rather than seek responsible investment and plan for future prosperity. 2500 jobs lost - and so what? Nothing wrong with stacking shelves at Tesco, is there? On the other hand, who in their right mind would want to invest capital in the shower that was 'new' MG-Rover?
You only have to drive round any large industrial-estate to see what I mean - boarded-up premises outnumber operating ones in most instances. And many of the ones that aren't boarded-up are now just distribution-centres for overseas-manufactured goods.
Not all of these closed-down businesses are as a result of the recession; many of them were closed years ago when it was seen as 'good business' to shift manufacture to China. Already manufacture is starting to shift back westwards from China, as their economic miracle falters, and places like Turkey, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and so forth, are being 'developed', all of them countries where the workers are paid peanuts and there is little or no social-security. In the last 2 weeks alone, four customers of my company have announced that they will be shifting manufacture to Turkey. In five years time they'll be shifting it somewhere else, South America being the next 'planned' destination for cheap manufacture, or so I am led to understand. Large employers no longer have, or see the need for, a social conscience. I would be very surprised if Cadbury's don't accept the offer from Kraft - eventually. They'll hum and they'll hah, but in the end all they will see are the $$$$'s.
When I lived in the US in the late 1970's, car-companies and steel manufacturers were closing plants like there was no tomorrow, to set up production in places like Mexico and Taiwan. They appear to have seen the light in recent years, though, and are re-investing in domestic US manufacture and US jobs, to their credit. I hope that, sooner rather than later, UK manufacturers come to the same conclusion, that they have a responsibility to their domestic work-force; but I have to say that there is little sign of anything like that at the moment.
I retire in less than 2 years. If I was at the other end of my working-life in 2009 Brown's Britain, I'd be in total despair. Our government and our major employers ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves - some hope!
Sorry for the long post.
Big Gee