Online technology, convergence and organizational transformation process in the Ljworld.com : a case study

v CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 Why study the processes involved in generating technological change?2 The Journal-World in Lawrence, Kansas 5 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK9 Mutual shaping of technology and society 10 Organizational transformation 13 Conceptual background 17 CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW 18 Organizational change in the digital world19 Media innovation culture and the path to change 21 Online media transition 22 Research Question 27 CHAPTER 4: METHODS29 The instruments 31 Documents31 Semi-structured in-depth interviews31 Field Observation 34 CHAPTER 5: FINDINGS36 “Damn it, we are going to do it!” 36 The Early Stage: Moving Desks and Changing Mindsets 37 Managers: power struggle and resistance to change46 Incentives51 Performance Reviews: “This is half of my job and I’m not getting evaluated on it” 54 More administrative changes: hiring practices 57 Organizational structure: 58 Who is in charge? 58 The organic stage: online boost and different personality 62 The ‘directed stage’: everyone is on board 69 Organizational structure: “it is confusing” 71 iv Online team: are they part of the converged newsroom?77 Newsroom processes online: Copy editing85 Convergence in the advertising and marketing department87 Converging in a profitable way 92 Changes in the business model 96 Ellington96 Marketplace 98 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION 100 Stages in the change 101 Communication between the newsroom and the Web team 104 Transformation or development? Reorientation or variation? 106 Proactive decision, reactive traits 108 Lack of clear hierarchy and collaborative work relationships 109 Online transforms advertising and changes the business model111 Anchors to the change 113 Is this experience transferable?115 Convergence as a company strategy115 Integrated Human Resources116 Managers on the same page117 Stages in the change118 Communication channels 118 The role of technical staff119 Clear vision and leadership 119 APPENDICES 123 1. List of Questions for semi-structured interviews123 2. Convergence Group Agenda 1126 3. Convergence Group Agenda 2129 4. Performance Evaluation Form132 5. Multi-media managing editor job description137 6. Convergence coordinator and project coordinators job description138 REFERENCES141