Routledge Time, Change, and the American Newspaper (Routledge Communication Series)

Product Description Time, Change, and the American Newspaper focuses on newspapers as organizations, examining the role of change in the newspaper industry and providing a model from which to view and respond to change. Authors George Sylvie and Patricia D. Witherspoon discuss environmental and organizational influences on contemporary newspapers, and they analyze newspapers within the larger context of all organizations. This more general perspective provides insights into the nature of change, the change process, the rationale for organizational changes, resistance to such changes, and initiation and implementation strategies. In its examination of change, this volume explores the causes of newspaper change, how newspaper change takes shape, and when change does not work. This consideration sets the stage for detailed case studies examining the roles of new technology, product, and people as change agents in newspapers. The discussion concludes with the impact of change--or lack of it--on the contemporary newspaper industry and the subsequent impact of newspaper change on society. Sylvie and Witherspoon propose future directions of change and of newspaper decision-making processes pertaining to change, and they offer suggestions for changes in newspaper structures and thought processes. Providing a sound, theoretically-based approach to the topic of change and American newspapers, this volume is essential reading for educators and students in journalism, media/newsroom management, media economics, organizational behavior/communication, and related areas. It also provides a wealth of insights and practical knowledge for newspaper publishers, editors, and practicing journalists. Review "...Sylvie and Witherspoon have launched an important discussion...Time, Change, and the American Newspaper is an exhaustive literature review of what others have said about change and the press. That alone makes it well worth adding to the reference stacks, because it finally puts the literature on newspaper change in one accessible spot...it is destined to become a useful reference. It also breaks ground for thoughtful discourse on the subject of change in journalistic environments. I hope it will be a catalyst for more exploration of a subject that could become a major part of media management scholarship."—Journal of Media Economics "The book is well written with clear examples and helpful charts and diagrams....Highly recommended for professional collections and university libraries supporting graduate and research work in journalism and in newspaper management."—CHOICE