IMO if the code sticks around long enough to disintegrate under its own weight, than that code was a rousing success!
"Resisting management" is almost always a horrible idea. Code is only useful when it provides a solution at the right time for the right price. If not, it is no longer useful and the world moves on.
Overall quality is nothing more than a reflection of business maturity. Like a mighty old tree with a great big trunk. It has had time to grow strong and majestic.
Most businesses don't live longer than 5 years. Most products and solutions are temporary fixes or ideas that don't last longer than a few months. Investing huge amounts of time and resources into those things is a recipe for disaster.