"Producing for Change" - Dynamic Entrepreneurialism in Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises in the German Independent TV Production Industry
Ehnert, Katrin (2016)
2016
Master's Degree Programme in Media Management
Viestinnän, median ja teatterin yksikkö - School of Communication, Media and Theatre
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2016-06-21
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201606272029
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201606272029
Tiivistelmä
Background: The German TV production industry is characterised by a structural imbalance due to a strong power asymmetry between a few major broadcasting clients with their dependent producers on the one side and many small to medium-sized independent production firms on the other side. Independent producers do not only compete against larger opponents, but also within a highly volatile media sector. The specifics of media content, constantly emerging technologies and channels, increasing price pressures and the unpredictability of viewer attention, therefore, demand constant innovation, change and organisational renewal.
Purpose: Differences in SMEs business success and the conditions for firm-level failure or survival have received increasing research attention. However, the majority of media business and management studies focus on media conglomerates, whereas insights into long-term SME business survival within a dynamic project-based context are still rare. Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate why some small to medium-sized independent TV production companies are more successful.
Method: The research strategy is based on the development of a theoretical framework for Dynamic Entrepreneurialism in media management, combining the firm-level entrepreneurial orientation concept with the dynamic capability theory. A qualitative research approach in the form of a case study of the German independent TV production firm Kimmig Entertainment GmbH was taken. Within this context, empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and through supplementary firm and industry documents.
Results: The study found that in the case firm an entrepreneurial orientation enhances organisational and creative reconfiguration and change abilities. Specific dynamic capabilities were found, including an entrepreneurial absorptive and response capability, a puzzle-solving capability and a variation capability. The empirical study advances the understanding and value of entrepreneurial managerial strategies and dynamic firm capabilities for SMEs in order to achieve better adaptability, innovation and change competences in the project-based television industry.
Purpose: Differences in SMEs business success and the conditions for firm-level failure or survival have received increasing research attention. However, the majority of media business and management studies focus on media conglomerates, whereas insights into long-term SME business survival within a dynamic project-based context are still rare. Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate why some small to medium-sized independent TV production companies are more successful.
Method: The research strategy is based on the development of a theoretical framework for Dynamic Entrepreneurialism in media management, combining the firm-level entrepreneurial orientation concept with the dynamic capability theory. A qualitative research approach in the form of a case study of the German independent TV production firm Kimmig Entertainment GmbH was taken. Within this context, empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and through supplementary firm and industry documents.
Results: The study found that in the case firm an entrepreneurial orientation enhances organisational and creative reconfiguration and change abilities. Specific dynamic capabilities were found, including an entrepreneurial absorptive and response capability, a puzzle-solving capability and a variation capability. The empirical study advances the understanding and value of entrepreneurial managerial strategies and dynamic firm capabilities for SMEs in order to achieve better adaptability, innovation and change competences in the project-based television industry.