Network television executives: A study of organizational behaviors and decision strategies in entertainment programming.
Item
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Title
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Network television executives: A study of organizational behaviors and decision strategies in entertainment programming.
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Identifier
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AAI9000662
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identifier
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9000662
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Creator
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Johnston, Susan Healy.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Charles Winick
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Date
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1987
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Mass Communications
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Abstract
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The dynamics of decision making in television entertainment programming and the organizational behavior and management style of executives in the television industry was the subject of a rigorous research study.;Fifty key network television entertainment executives were interviewed in depth for up to five hours each in connection with decision making pertaining to the development, selection, scheduling, maintenance, and cancellation of entertainment programs. Interviews were conducted with executives from the three major commercial networks at both the east and west coast offices and categories of prime time drama and comedy series, made-for-TV movies, mini-series, daytime programs, children's programs, and talent were included. Individuals in research, broadcast standards, finance, sales, and promotion departments were also interviewed for collateral data. Comparative data was obtained from a sub-sample of studio and independent production company executives and talent agency personnel.;The study analyzed the decision process in all phases of entertainment programming and established the existing criteria for problem solving decisions on the above program operations. The study also assessed the contribution of job characteristics, internal organizational dynamics including political processes and the protege system, management philosophy, executive leadership, communication activities, idiosyncratic and intuitive elements of individuals, and the actual and perceived status and role of women in the occupation including their impact on programming decisions. Popular industry concepts were analyzed and their component parts identified, thus clarifying their use in decision making.;Network programming executives were found to use both traditional-rational approaches and intuitive-conceptual strategies in decision making regarding all phases of programming. The executives were found to operate in an environment characterized by a high degree of uncertainty and change with a weak information gathering system. Problem solving behavior was found to be both goal oriented and calculated to reduce risk. Decisions regarding operative, coordinative and strategic problems were found to be group decisions arrived at by consensus, using satisficing criteria which reflect sub-optimal general constraints rather than optimal requirements. Loyalty ties to the organization were assessed as weak; executives' allegiance appeared to be to their own skills, expertise, and advancement. Subjective perceptions reflect the belief among both men and women that women use different criteria (more intuitive, less objective) in decision making than do men but analysis of interview self-descriptions show no difference in actual reported decision criteria or technique.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
