New approaches to understanding management and leadership in the performing arts

In recent years, debates about leadership and management in the UK arts and cultural sector have often focussed on a cultural crisis and by implication a crisis in leadership. Many of the performing arts companies described in this thesis produce world-class creative works, high-quality performances, and are well managed and led. Against this backdrop it was considered that a new approach to understanding management and leadership in the performing arts was required. Historically, management theorists have focussed upon organisational dynamics, organisational framework, management control and work processes with an emphasis on using quantitative analytical techniques. However, modem management theorists emphasise organisational. effectiveness with a focus on key strategic issues and leadership. Interviewing executive leaders on key strategic issues not organisational and process issues, by naturalistic inquiry, forms the basis of a methodology that can provide a new understanding of management and leadership issues. A multi-dimensional qualitative research methodology was developed that used thematic analysis, descriptive research and case study methods. A grounded theory approach also allowed syntheses to be made between key research issues and thematic elements as an aid to theory development. Research themes included leadership skills, artistic risk in a culturally diverse society, government funding of UK world-class companies, and a preferred executive leadership model emerged. New areas of research were identified that could extend the methodology into: middle-ranking arts companies, the museums and galleries sectors, other cultural sectors, and corporate governance issues. In conclusion, no evidence was found of a leadership crisis in the performing arts, though issues and concerns were raised about the role of the chairman of the board of trustees. In the long-term, however, there is the possibility that companies may face leadership succession problems, declining subsidy, and compliance pressures following new charities legislation. Researching key issues provides a basis for understandino the complexities of leadership in the perforining arts, funding, the wider socio-economic influences, and aid the development of training programmes that will provide future inspirational leaders with the necessary mix of skills and competencies

Planning for the arts - an urban renaissance? A critique of arts policy and town planning and their relationship

The study examines the development of arts policy and town planning in the United Kingdom and investigates their relationship in the provision of arts and cultural amenity in urban contexts. The historic evolution of arts planning is taken through the pre and post-Welfare State periods, concentrating on national arts and related environmental, urban and economic policies. The evolution of town planning in Britain is assessed both in terms of urban policy and planning and as they affect arts provision and development. The position of London and the 'regions' is assessed in terms of the distribution of arts resources, in the light of the Arts Council's 'Glory of the Garden' strategy (1984) and subsequent initiatives and this is extended to the increasing influence of European policy through cultural and economic development programmes. The adoption of economic rationales for arts provision and investment is assessed in terms of the shift towards a cultural industries approach to local economic development. Arts-led tourism and the use of cultural attractions as part of inward investment and image improvement strategies are contrasted with the provision of local arts facilities, taking the example of the arts centre and workspace for artist and crafts producer. The application of planning standards for leisure and recreation is evaluated in terms of arts amenity planning and the relative outcomes of arts versus sports provision. Two surveys of London local authorities assess the adoption of arts and urban regeneration measures and the place of arts amenities in local land-use plans. The results are then compared with other citiesin the UK and overseas. A detailed analysis of one London borough, Isli ngton, is made in terms of arts policy and provision in the context of the national planning regimes operating during the 1980s. A local cultural quarter, Clerkenwell, is then investigated in terms of the impact of such policy and planning changes on artist, crafts and other cultural production and premises usage. The thesis develops the case for the utilisation of arts planning standards and the results suggest an integrated policy and planning approach to local arts provision, and to economic and cultural development, at both local and regional levels

Evaluating mega-urban regeneration projects:Developing a new framework

Mega Urban Regeneration Projects (MURPs) have become key features of regeneration in many cities. Like many large projects, MURPs, because of their complexity and scale, often face the difficulties of being over-budget or late. The overall aim of this research is to develop and validate a new framework to evaluate mega urban regeneration projects. To address this fours objectives are formulated. Firstly, to explore the nexus between MURP, urban transformation and globalisation. Secondly, to identify the characteristics of sustainable mega urban regeneration projects. Thirdly, to investigate existing sustainable urban regeneration frameworks. Fourthly, develop a framework to evaluate Mega Urban Regeneration Projects and finally, validate the framework. The research seeks to apply institutional theory in order to analyse the role of different institutions, their capacity in policy development, implementation and coordination of urban regeneration processes. The research acknowledges the distinction between inductive and deductive approaches but uses aspects of both approaches in its different phases. Initially, the most appropriate path for this research is a deductive route, top down method; to generate a draft framework to reflect key notions and measurable indicators to assess mega urban regeneration projects. Later, the thesis used the inductive approach during subsequent qualitative probing to investigate the complex institutional, structural and cultural factors at play to gain a more nuanced insight, which takes account of different organisational structures, cultures and institutions and variable local conditions. The investigation of the proposed project evaluation framework adopted a qualitative approach. This was achieved through a comprehensive review of literature and analysis of a number of MURPs at the international level in order to identify key attributes of such projects. The empirical phase involved face to face interviews with key stakeholders involved with planning, finance, investment, development and implementation of major mega urban regeneration projects and case studies of Kings Cross, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Nine Elms Projects in England and Utrecht Station Area Redevelopment (USARP) project in the Netherlands. The thesis found that MURPs are, by definition, expensive, complex and have multiple – often competing – goals, which complicates their assessment. Even though the draft MURP evaluation framework is balanced and multi-faceted with procedural and teleological aspects, it offers no definitive blueprint. Even the proposed MURP assessment tool considers sustainability; it is not a ''silver bullet'' but part of a multi-criteria, iterative participatory and evolving evaluation process which needs to engage with all stakeholders. MURP’s transformative aspirations must be tempered by consideration of the urban and site context within a specific cultural and legal and planning regime. Infrastructure investments or entrepreneurial interventions need to be commercially viable, enhance the public realm or otherwise demonstrate strong social benefits. Nevertheless, despite its limitations the MURP framework provides a useful supplement to standard planning or commercial project evaluations. It presents an objective, scientific way of approaching contentious issues. Without the framework, misguided projects can start, or good ones stall, due to wrangling between rival stakeholders. This study makes original contribution to knowledge in the form of theoretical, policy, methodological and practical contribution in understanding Mega Urban Regeneration Projects (MURPs)

The Objectives of NHS Trusts

This thesis explores the motivation and goals of NHS Trusts which were set up under statutory instrument from 15t April 1991 by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government and which continue to have a role under the Labour Government elected in 1997. The research question asks 'What are the objectives of Trusts? What is the extent of the constraints under which they operate?' The central piece of empirical work uses a questionnaire survey to explore individuals' objectives, yielding 1,577 responses. A second exercise uses cost and volume data to review the performance of 100 Trusts. A third strand uses a case study to consider the behaviour of Trusts within their external environment. Consultants, or 'doctors', and managers are identified as the main power coalition within Trusts. Empirical findings are consistent with the hypotheses that, firstly, doctors and managers have different sets of objectives and that, secondly, doctors are interested in production, in particular maintenance of service quality, while managers are interested in the 'bottom line', defined as financial break-even. Under financial conditions described as 'bad times' where the interests of doctors and managers conflict, evidence suggests that doctors tend to dominate the performance of Trusts. It follows that Trusts will pursue a service objective, defined mainly through quality, rather than a financial goal. This dynamic is reinforced by the environment which sends signals to actors about how they should behave and, through lack of market exit, weakens the financial motivation of Trusts. While such behaviour is coherent in terms of the dominant actors, it is at odds with the overall goals of the Trust organisation which are perceived by doctors and managers alike to be the single-minded pursuit of financial targets. The thesis finds that this driver is not owned or acted upon by either doctors or managers and that, in accordance with the balance of its internal motivation, the Trust's primary objective is to maintain service quality

Marketing cities for tourism: developing marketing strategies for Istanbul with lessons from Amsterdam and London.

The tourism sector is relatively competitive, with many destinations competing with each other to attract potential tourists. Destinations,such as urban areas,need to besold with a greater emphasis on marketing activities. In fact, as a bundle of products consumedby a range of tourists with different needs and motives for visiting, urban tourism destinations differ from traditional holiday resorts and require more specific attention from tourism organisations responsible for marketing their cities. This research focuses on the set tourism organisations and their marketing activities ranging from market research to advertising. Attention is also paid to the tourism sector as an initiative to alleviate the urban areas' problems.The concept of an urban tourism destination as a marketable product is assessed with particular reference to the case study cities of London, Amsterdamand Istanbul. Extensive literature review, in-depth interviews with key personnel and field studies were held in the case study cities as the main research methods of the investigation. Information on marketing plans of the cities; structural characteristics of tourism organisations both in the public and private sectors; marketing alliances between these organisations; marketing tools used by city destinations;the competitiveness of urban areas in the both international and domestic tourism markets are sought from the findings of the research methods. In addition, product life cycle analysis,carrying capacity analysis and SWOT analysis are applied to the cities with support of existing data in order to assess the urban tourism products in detail. It is anticipated that such a comparative study will shed some light on the marketing activities of tourism organisations and will help to develop optimal marketing strategies for the urban tourism product of Istanbul

From analogy-making to modelling : the history of analog computing as a modelling technology

Today, modern computers are based on digital technology. However, during the decades after 1940, digital computers were complemented by the separate technology of analog computing. But what was analog computing, what were its merits, and who were its users? This thesis investigates the conceptual and technological history of analog computing. As a concept, analog computing represents the entwinement of a complex pre-history of meanings, including calculation, modelling, continuity and analogy. These themes are not only landmarks of analog's etymology, but also represent the blend of practices, ways of thinking, and social ties that together comprise an 'analog culture'. The first half of this thesis identifies how the history of this technology can be understood in terms of the two parallel themes of calculation and modelling. Structuring the history around these themes demonstrates that technologies associated with modelling have less representation in the historiography. Basing the investigation around modelling applications, the thesis investigates the formation of analog culture. The second half of this thesis applies the themes of modelling and information generation to understand analog use in context. Through looking at examples of analog use in academic research, oil reservoir modelling, aeronautical design, and meteorology, the thesis explores why certain communities used analog and considers the relationship between analog and digital in these contexts. This study demonstrates that analog modelling is an example of information generation rather than information processing. Rather than focusing on the categories of analog and digital, it is argued that future historical scholarship in this field should give greater prominence to the more general theme of modelling

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF COMMERCIAL PORTS AND WHARVES IN SOUTHWEST ENGLAND: A GROUNDED THEORY APPROACH TO REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS

Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/1297 on 20.03.2017 by CS (TIS)The Southwest Region, as defined by the SW Regional Development Agency, forms an extended peninsula with a coastline of 1,020 km, the longest of any region in England. All along this coastline are fishing ports, commercial ports, small wharves, closed ports, ferry ports and leisure ports. Amongst the smallest are a dozen tidal ports, tiny harbours and rocky wharfs that still maintain a commercial trade of local and environmental significance. According to most theories of port development these ports should close, being forced out of business by larger, more efficient ports. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen people who were involved with five small ports or port areas in the Southwest region. They represented commercial, local government or local resident interests. The research was carried out using grounded theory methodology, which aims to create theory through inductive analysis of the data. An ecological theory of port competition emerged, which explains how a small port succeeds because it is adapted to a market niche within which it enjoys a unique competitive advantage. Small ports are, however, extremely vulnerable to relatively small changes in the external environment, especially as port town land has a high opportunity cost in terms of the housing, retail and leisure developments that could profitably be made on the land. The institutional environment (including the support of the local council) and economic environment are the two most important indicators for the success or failure of a small port. In terms of regional competitiveness, a small port contributes to the competitiveness of its region as a business in the traded sector and a facilitator of traded businesses. In terms of clustering, a small port appears to belong more to a cluster of industries around agricultural products, fish products, supplies distribution, wholesaling transportation and logistics services, than to the obvious 'marine' clusters of ship fabrication or marine leisure