I’ve just posted a piece in our occasional series on the differences between Scotland and rUK in terms of core values such as collectivism, economic justice or perhaps even environmental sensitivity. Now I read this in Energy Voice today, from UCL researcher, Francis Shaw:
‘There’s no doubt my research definitely found a difference between European headquartered companies and the American companies, but I think there’s a wider issue of companies reflecting the culture in which they’re immersed.’
He did open with a reference to a European context, but I think it’s fair to say that most of those employees are based in and around Scotland resulting surely in that being the dominant influence. He goes on:
‘If you think about what makes up a large international company; it’s shareholders, it’s employees and customers who are all members of society. So, they also reflect society, and society’s values are not static, they change all the time. Where a company is based will have an impact and that’s what I’ve seen from my research.’
For more see:
Talking-up Scotland 
I say old bean, you don’t seem to be beastly snd vile enough to be a real Cybernatzi type,Wot?
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My daughter did a masters degree in cultural studies at UCL and I have a generally good opinion of the theories, models and methods employed, so I think that what is being reported is plausible.
However, when one looks at the media in Scotland and BBC Scotland and STV, in particular, then the CORPORATE attitudes within News and Current Affairs are not very representative of the ethos of Scotland, as represented by voting patterns. I have been told by acquaintances who have experience of these organisations that there are within them, many individuals who are, for example, strong supporters of independence and have fairly strong socialist views. I am told that there are individuals who give time to supporting people in society experiencing difficulties.
Now, that there are such people in these organisations should not be surprising if we accept the UCL research finding, but, these attitudes do not seem to be being displayed in the broadcast output.
Apologists often ascribe this to editorial management attitudes which impose the approach which is hostile to many aspects of life in Scotland. But, these same editorial managers also live in Scotland and within our society. So, why is there the bias/
Perhaps, it might be due to the preponderance of privately educated people, and a significant number born and raised outwith Scotland. Perhaps, too, there is a culture in which even if individuals were educated within the local authority sector they feel they have to have their children educated privately.
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