Systems Theory Applied to Television Station Management in the Competitive Marketplace

by Covington, William G., Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780761808244
• ISBN10: 0761808248
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-11-28
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

This book explores how traditional television stations are faced with unprecedented competition from new methods of delivering video signals. The book uses systems theory as a framework to view how departments at four stations are competing in the new media environment. Contents: Introduction: Background of the study; Theoretical Framework; Methodology; Description of the Four Stations; Departments (Subsystems) at the Stations; News Department; Management Profiles: Management as a Subsystem; Applying Systems Theory to the Stations; A Model for TV Station Management in a Multichannel Marketplace; Discussion and Conclusion.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Chapter 1. Introduction: Background of the Study	1	(16)
A case study-ethnographic approach	2	(1)
Systems theory applied to television station management	3	(2)
Significance of the study	5	(1)
Organizational structure of a medium market television station	5	(1)
A brief description of the six primary subsystems	6	(5)
Statement of the problem	11	(3)
Management in an era of change	14	(3)
Chapter 2. Theoretical framework	17	(20)
Early development in systems thinking	17	(1)
Systems theory applied to social systems	18	(1)
Chronology of systems thinking	18	(1)
Recent studies using systems theory as a framework	19	(2)
Systems theory and the nine functions of theory	21	(2)
The principles of systems theory applied to the management of television stations	23	(5)
A systems approach to the subsystem of television station management	28	(5)
The television station as a learning organization	33	(2)
Situating the study in its theoretical context	35	(2)
Chapter 3. Methodology	37	(22)
Procedure	38	(2)
What count as data	40	(1)
Multiple methods as a means of getting depth and breadth	40	(1)
Use of available data	41	(2)
Interviewing	43	(3)
Participant observation	46	(2)
Placing this study in one of the categories of participant observation	48	(4)
The use of the literature review in studying television station management	52	(1)
Scope conditions of the stations studied	53	(1)
Methodology applied to the research question	53	(1)
Communication of results	54	(2)
Placing the four stations in a methodological context	56	(3)
Chapter 4. Description of the four stations	59	(12)
Description of the four stations	60	(5)
A comparison of the four physical plants	65	(5)
Station descriptions as necessary for the study	70	(1)
Chapter 5. Departments (subsystems) at the stations	71	(22)
The engineering department	71	(9)
The sales department	80	(3)
The operations department	83	(8)
Interacting subsystems in a television station	91	(2)
Chapter 6. News department	93	(18)
Background on the news operations at each of the four stations	93	(4)
Newsroom organization	97	(4)
The sports department	101	(4)
The weather department	105	(1)
Local talk shows	106	(2)
The news department as a significant open subsystem	108	(3)
Chapter 7. Management profiles: Management as a subsystem	111	(16)
The managers in the four station sample	114	(8)
The business department	122	(2)
The Subsystem of management in context	124	(3)
Chapter 8. Applying systems theory to the stations	127	(14)
Marketing models modified for the study of television station management	128	(8)
The revised models and the data	136	(2)
Systems theory as an analytical framework for television station management	138	(3)
Chapter 9. A model for TV station management in a multichannel marketplace	141	(18)
The environment in which television stations operate	141	(2)
Technology as part of the environment	143	(1)
Networks as part of the environment	144	(2)
The audience as part of the environment	146	(1)
Advertisers as part of the environment	147	(1)
Regulatory structures as a part of the environment	148	(1)
The television station at the center of these environmental influences	149	(2)
Subsystems within the television station	151	(4)
Relationship of the model to data collection	155	(4)
Chapter 10. Discussion and conclusion	159	(12)
Television's place in the media environment	159	(2)
Uncertainty in the environment	161	(1)
The tie between theory and methodology	161	(1)
Summary: Based upon the model and observations	162	(4)
Systems thinking at the individual level in television station management	166	(1)
Limitations and suggestions for additional study	167	(1)
Conclusion	168	(3)
Selected Bibliography	171	(8)
Appendix	179
Questionnaire	179	(3)
Employee evaluation form	182	(2)
Protocol	184	(2)
Consent form for participants	186	(1)
Station C engineering department	187