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Cultures of strategy: Remaking the BBC, 1968–2003

2013; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 55; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/00076791.2013.838032

1743-7938

Chris Carter, Alan McKinlay,

Housing Market and Economics

AbstractThis article explores the changes that took place in the BBC during the late 1980s and 1990s. The paper traces the antecedents to the changes, particularly a report prepared by McKinsey, the management consulting firm, in the early 1970s. Many of the problems identified by McKinsey were tackled a generation later, although using strikingly different methods from those advocated by the consulting firm. The second section of the paper focuses on the policy interventions made by the Peacock Committee, an application of public choice economics to broadcasting. A key insight of this paper is to explore the way in which the economic rationalities of the Peacock Committee were translated into the BBC through Producer Choice.Producer Choice constituted a new form of governmentality that largely rejected the BBC's Reithian legacy. It was a radical initiative that delegitimised the status quo. The paper explores how new languages and accounting numbers constructed new spaces for managerialism across the BBC. The article highlights how calculation is a central dimension to managerialism and a prime means of bringing the market into organizations. A key insight of the paper is to highlight how markets are created within organizations.Keywords:: managerialismcalculative practicesgovernmentality AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to the Jessica Hogg of the BBC's Written Archive Centre and to the many broadcasting people who gave us their time. Our special thanks to Steve Ansell. Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the Management History Research Group, Edinburgh, Copenhagen Business School, University of United Arab Emirates, and the universities of Glasgow, Leiden, Newcastle, Paris and Strathclyde.Additional informationNotes on contributorsChris CarterChris Carter is Professor of Strategy and Organization at the University of Edinburgh. His research is committed to understanding the effects of neo-liberalism on organizations and to exploring the habitus of specific professional fields; his work is heavily influenced by the ideas of Pierre Bourdieu. Chris is currently researching organizational change in the BBC and life in Big Four accounting firms. His PhD is from Aston University. Email: Chris.Carter@ed.ac.ukAlan McKinlayAlan McKinlay is Professor of Human Resource Management at Newcastle University. His research explores the changing nature of work in contemporary and historical settings; his work is heavily influenced by the writings of Michel Foucault. Alan is currently researching organizational change in the BBC and the role of employer associations. His PhD is from Oxford University. Email: alan.mckinlay@newcastle.ac.uk