DOCSLIB.ORG

Newswork in Transition: an Ethnography of Netwerk24

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Newswork in Transition: an Ethnography of Netwerk24 Newswork in transition: An ethnography of Netwerk24 Marenet Jordaan Dissertation presented for the degree Doctor of Philosophy (Journalism) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Dr Gabriël J. Botma December 2018 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Marenet Jordaan December 2018 Copyright © 2018 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract This study explores how journalists at Netwerk24, as Afrikaans news website and national newsroom, experience and describe newswork during a time of disruption and transition. Situated within the field of journalism studies, this newsroom ethnography analyses how newsroom culture is structured by, and structures, the way journalists interact with each other and with non- human actors, such as digital media technologies. A thorough literature review indicates that digital media technologies can, on the one hand, change newswork on a structural level. On the other hand, such technologies can also, often simultaneously, become naturalised parts of existing newsroom practices and routines. What becomes clear, however, is that a technocentric view of changes to the newsroom is too limited, and that the role of culture and context should also be considered. As such, a novel theoretical framework is used in order to address the historical dispositions that influence journalists’ actions, while simultaneously addressing the current associations that develop amongst journalists and between journalists and the so-called material “stuff” they use during newswork. The study thus relies on a combination of the basic tenets of Bourdieu’s field theory, more specifically the professional journalistic habitus, and Latour’s actor-network theory. The argument pursued in this study is that journalists who were and are socialised in a specific professional manner into newsroom culture are actors within an unstable news-producing network; a network where digital media technologies also play an active role. By using an ethnographic research design, this exploration of Netwerk24 adds to existing studies from within the newsroom; an approach that allows the researcher to open the so-called “black box” of newswork. More than 250 hours’ worth of participant observation field notes from four different geographical newsroom offices, in combination with semi-structured interviews with purposively selected research participants contribute to a better understanding of what happens where news is produced for Netwerk24. More importantly, the analysis of findings – using ATLAS.ti version 7 – provides insight into why the cultures, practices and routines at Netwerk24 are structured the way they are. The research findings reveal that digital media technologies (such as Facebook and WhatsApp), while key to newswork, are not the main drivers of change and disruption within the Netwerk24 newsroom. These technologies enable, or force, the journalists to be multi-skilled and thus add to their workload. Yet the Netwerk24 journalists appear to have accepted and incorporated these non-human actors quite naturally into their newswork. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za What is of more concern for the journalists are the culture and communication in the newsroom. A lack of clarity about radical changes, the influence of specific newsroom personalities, an inability to share the vision for Netwerk24 due to a perceived lack of internal communication, and other challenges to newswork seem to cause more uneasiness amongst journalists than technological disruptions. The study thus concludes that while most journalists are willing to adapt to change and accept the uncertainty of a future in journalism, they often hold on to traditional conceptualisations of journalism and crave to know where they fit into the Netwerk24 newswork network. iii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Opsomming Hierdie studie stel ondersoek in na hoe joernaliste by Netwerk24, ’n Afrikaanse nuuswebwerf en nasionale nuuskantoor, nuuswerk ervaar en beskryf gedurende ’n tyd van ontwrigting en oorgang. Hierdie nuuskantoor-etnografie, binne joernalistiekstudies as navorsingsveld, ontleed die strukturering van nuuskantoorkultuur en hoe dit joernaliste se interaksie met mekaar en digitale mediategnologieë beïnvloed. ’n Literatuuroorsig dui aan dat digitale mediategnologieë nuuswerk enersyds op ’n strukturele vlak kan verander. Sulke tegnologieë kan andersyds ook, dikwels gelyktydig, ingeburger word binne bestaande nuuskantoorpraktyke en -roetines. Dit is egter duidelik dat ’n tegnologie-gesentreerde uitkyk op veranderinge binne die nuuskantoor té beperkend is. Die rol van kultuur en konteks moet ook oorweeg word. Derhalwe word die historiese ingesteldhede wat joernaliste se aksies beïnvloed asook die huidige verbintenisse tussen joernaliste onderling en tussen joernaliste en dít wat hulle nodig het vir nuuswerk in ’n nuwe teoretiese raamwerk ondersoek. Die studie maak dus staat op ’n kombinasie van die basiese beginsels van Bourdieu se veldteorie – en spesifiek die professionele joernalistieke habitus – en Latour se agent-netwerk teorie. Die argument wat in dié studie aangevoer word, is dat joernaliste professioneel op ’n spesifieke wyse binne die nuuskantoorkultuur ingelyf word op ’n manier wat stabiliteit bevorder. Maar terselfdertyd is die joernaliste ook deel van ’n onstabiele nuus-vervaardigingsnetwerk; ’n netwerk waar digitale mediategnologieë ook ’n aktiewe rol speel. Deur die gebruik van ’n etnografiese navorsingsontwerp, dra hierdie verkenning van Netwerk24 by tot bestaande studies van binne die nuuskantoor; ’n benadering wat die navorser in staat stel om die sogenaamde “swart boks” van nuuswerk oop te maak. Die data is onder meer ingesamel deur veldnotas gebaseer op meer as 250 uur se deelnemende waarneming binne vier verskillende geografiese nuuskantore. Voorts is semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met ’n doelgerigte steekproef van navorsingsdeelnemers gevoer. Die bevindinge dra by tot ’n beter begrip van wat gebeur waar en wanneer nuus vir Netwerk24 geskep word. Meer belangrik nóg, verskaf die ontleding van bevindinge – deur middel van ATLAS.ti weergawe 7 – insig oor hoekom die kulture, praktyke en roetines by Netwerk24 op ’n sekere manier gestruktureer is. Die navorsingsbevindinge toon aan dat digitale mediategnologieë (soos Facebook en WhatsApp) van sleutelbelang vir nuuswerk is, maar dat dié tegnologie nie die hoofdryfkragte van verandering en ontwrigting binne die Netwerk24-nuuskantoor is nie. Dié tegnologieë stel joernaliste in staat, of dwing hulle, om meer vaardighede te ontwikkel wat gevolglik tot hul werklas bydra. Desondanks het iv Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za die Netwerk24-joernaliste klaarblyklik dié tegnologie relatief gemaklik aanvaar en ingesluit by hul nuuswerk. Die kultuur en kommunikasie in die nuuskantoor is van groter belang vir die joernaliste as tegnologiese vernuwings en veranderinge. Uitdagings sluit in ’n gebrek aan duidelikheid oor ingrypende strukturele veranderinge, die invloed van spesifieke nuuskantoor-persoonlikhede, en ’n onvermoë om in die visie vir Netwerk24 te deel weens belewenis van ’n gebrek aan interne kommunikasie. Hierdie studie kom dus tot die gevolgtrekking dat die meerderheid joernaliste bereid is om te verander en dat hulle die onsekerheid van ’n toekoms in joernalistiek aanvaar. Desondanks hou hulle dikwels steeds vas aan tradisionele opvattings oor joernalistiek en smag hulle daarna om te weet hoe hulle by Netwerk24 se nuuswerk-netwerk inpas. v Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements Since it takes a village to raise a child, I have a lot of people to thank. To my supervisor, Dr Gawie Botma, for listening, advising and nudging me in the right direction: Anyone would be lucky to take this journey with you. To my parents, Chris and Annette Jordaan, for all those early morning video calls and unceasing encouragement: You are the twin pillars of my life. To my sisters, Annelet Kruger, Christél Jordaan, Lize Buitenweg and Jeanne Terblanche, and their families: I am socialised the way I am because of you, and I love you. I also thank my colleagues in the Department of Journalism who allowed me time to focus on my studies: Prof Lizette Rabe, for her invaluable mentorship and gentle guidance; Jeanne van der Merwe, Corli van der Merwe and Andre Gouws, the Rykie van Reenen fellows who became more than just colleagues; Elizabeth Newman, the angel who made my journey (especially around the country) so much easier; Lijuan Williams-Daniels, for all those perfect cups of coffee; Prof George Claassen and Johannes de Villiers for their support; and all the other PhD candidates in the department for our monthly catch-up sessions. I am also indebted to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University for the research grants that made my field work possible. A heartfelt thank you to my dearest friend Magriet Pienaar, for all those breakfasts and lunches – and for helping with the final editing.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Mass Media and Modern Government
    Veröffentlichungsreihe des Forschungsschwerpunktes Sozialer Wandel, Institutionen und Vermittlungsprozesse des Wissenschaftszentrums Berlin für Sozialforschung FS III 96 - 301 The Mass Media and Modern Government Kenneth Newton I would like to thank Max Kaase and Barbara Pfetsch, for their very helpful comments on an earlier version of this paper. The mistakes in this version, of course, remain entirely mine. This paper was mainly written while I was a guest professor at the Wissenschaftszen- trum Berlin fur Sozialforschung in the summer of 1995. Berlin, May 1996 Zitierweise: Newton, Kenneth, 1996: The Mass Media and Modern Government. Discussion Paper FS III 96 - 301. Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin. Abstract This paper discusses a set of propositions about the impact of the mass media on modern government and politics in the west. Because the literature, though voluminous, is inconclusive and controversial, the propositions are presented as aseries of contradictory p~irs. The intention is not necessarily to resolve the contradictions, though this is possible in some cases, but to review the literature in a systematic way. The propositions are grouped under seven headings - the nature of politics; citizens and political Iife; elections; political elites; political parties; governments; contemporary democracy; globalization of information. When the argument and evidence is organised this way the general conclusion seems to be that media impacts are strongest when they are closest to the news media output themselves (the editorial room and news room) and weakest at the more general levels of institutions, the democratic system, and the global system. Zusammenfassung In dem Papier werden Überlegungen zum Einfluß der Massenmedien auf Politik und modernes Regieren in den westlichen Demokratien erörtert.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Consumer Boycotting on the Stock Market" (2019)
    Pace University DigitalCommons@Pace Honors College Theses Pforzheimer Honors College 2019 The ffecE t of Consumer Boycotting on the Stock Market Anthony Levesque Pace University Jouahn Nam Pace University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/honorscollege_theses Part of the Business Commons Recommended Citation Levesque, Anthony and Nam, Jouahn, "The Effect of Consumer Boycotting on the Stock Market" (2019). Honors College Theses. 235. https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/honorscollege_theses/235 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Pforzheimer Honors College at DigitalCommons@Pace. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors College Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Pace. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Effect of Consumer Boycotting on the Stock Market BY: ANTHONY LEVESQUE AND JOUAHN NAM MAY 2019 LUBIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS - PACE UNIVERSITY [email protected] Levesque 2 Levesque 3 Abstract Our work seeks to determine if the act of a consumer boycott has a significant effect on the stock price of target firms and to determine what aspects of the firm either contribute positively or negatively to this effect. Most research suggests that the effects of a boycott on stock price can be highly varied with little to no explanation for this variance. We analyzed the abnormal stock returns of our 23 sample firms in the 30 day period leading up to the boycott and after the commencement of the boycott. We’ve found the results that the market overall does not react significantly to consumer boycotting. However, our results show that the firms having a bad reputation before the boycott, larger market capital, and frequent past scandals are more likely to have significant or marginally significant market reactions.
    [Show full text]
  • Afish out of Water:Why the Gao's Approach to Finding
    A FISH OUT OF WATER: WHY THE GAO’S APPROACH TO FINDING AGENCY PROPAGANDA IS INADEQUATE IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA AGE Jennifer Pierce† TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................426 I. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................429 A. Congressional Limitations on Agency Outreach .......................................429 B. Agency Use of Social Media .........................................................................432 C. GAO Rulings on Covert Propaganda ..........................................................434 1. Finding No Violation .......................................................................435 2. Finding Violations ............................................................................436 II. ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................................441 A. Events Leading Up to the EPA’s Thunderclap Campaign ........................441 B. The EPA’s “I Choose Clean Water” Message .............................................443 1. The GAO’s Response .......................................................................443 2. The EPA’s Defense ...........................................................................445 C. Recent Agency Social Media Use .................................................................446 III. PROPOSAL ...................................................................................................................448
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Apps Report
    Sustainable Apps Report Date: 30/03/2020 Authors: Étienne D’Arche, Liza Goldzahl, Nicolas Hoeps and Nicole Maiett Directors: Alberto Andreu (DIRSE) and Alejandro Ruiz (ESCP) 1 INDEX INDEX ........................................................................................................................................ 2 1. Background ............................................................................................................................ 3 2. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 4 3. Map of Apps ........................................................................................................................... 8 3.1.- Environmental Applications ............................................................................................ 8 a) Good on You................................................................................................................... 8 b) Staiy ............................................................................................................................... 9 c) Wiser Heat .....................................................................................................................10 d) Too Good To Go ............................................................................................................11 e) Yuka ..............................................................................................................................12 3.2.- Financial
    [Show full text]
  • The History and Constitutionality of the Government Spin Machine
    MANAGING THE NEWS: THE HISTORY AND CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE GOVERNMENT SPIN MACHINE JODIE MORSE* This Note grows out of two recent efforts by the Bush administration to shape media coverage of its programs: secret payments to columnists and the dissemina- tion of fake press reports. It explores the little-studied history of such covert news management tactics and shows that, contrary to the prevailing wisdom, such attempts to manage the media by stealth did not originate with the Bush administra- tion. Though these tactics may be time-honored, they have continually sparked criticism that they compromise the independence of the media. This Note further analyzes the treatment of government news management under current law. After showing why the regulatory regime is irredeemablyflawed, this Note contends that judicial intervention is necessary to address core constitutionalconcerns. Specifi- cally, it concludes that news management tactics that conceal the government's role as a source are unconstitutionalforms of viewpoint discrimination that violate the First Amendment. On January 7, 2005, the front page of USA Today carried the fol- lowing headline: "White House Paid Commentator to Promote Law."' The article disclosed that in late 2003 the U.S. Department of Education signed a $240,000 contract with conservative columnist Armstrong Williams requiring that he "regularly comment on ' 2 the No Child Left Behind Act,3 the landmark education reform law that is also the cornerstone of President Bush's domestic policy agenda. Williams apparently made good on his end of the bargain, frequently touting the law both on the airwaves 4 and in print 5 throughout the run-up to Bush's reelection.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Power and the News Media from Iraq to Katrina
    WHEN THE PRESS FAILS Studies in Communication, Media, and Public Opinion a series edited by susan herbst and benjamin i. page WHEN THE PRESS FAILS Political Power and the News Media from Iraq to Katrina w. lance bennett, regina g. lawrence, and steven livingston the university of chicago press ∏ chicago and london W. Lance Bennett is the Ruddick C. Lawrence Professor of Communication and professor of political science at the University of Washington. His previous books include News: The Politics of Illusion and, coedited with David Paletz, Taken by Storm, the latter published by the University of Chicago Press. Regina G. Lawrence is associate professor and chair of the Division of Political Science in the Hatfi eld School of Government at Portland State University. She is the author of The Politics of Force and numerous journal articles. Steven Livingston is associate professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs as well as associate professor of international affairs in the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University. In addition to journal articles and book chapters, his previous publications include The Terrorism Spectacle. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 60637 The University of Chicago Press, Ltd., London © 2007 by The University of Chicago All rights reserved. Published 2007 Printed in the United States of America 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 1 2 3 4 5 isbn-13: 978-0-226-04284-8 (cloth) isbn-10: 0-226-04284-7 (cloth) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bennett, W. Lance. When the press fails : political power and the news media from Iraq to Katrina / W.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Public Relations Agenda-Building: a Content Analysis of the US 2016 Presidential Campaign Speeches, Tweets and News Stories
    The University of Southern Mississippi The Aquila Digital Community Dissertations Spring 2020 Political Public Relations Agenda-Building: A Content Analysis of the US 2016 Presidential Campaign Speeches, Tweets and News Stories Emmanuel Nwachukwu Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations Part of the American Politics Commons, Mass Communication Commons, Public Relations and Advertising Commons, Social Influence and oliticalP Communication Commons, and the Social Media Commons Recommended Citation Nwachukwu, Emmanuel, "Political Public Relations Agenda-Building: A Content Analysis of the US 2016 Presidential Campaign Speeches, Tweets and News Stories" (2020). Dissertations. 1749. https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/1749 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. POLITICAL PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENDA-BUILDING: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE US 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SPEECHES, TWEETS AND NEWS STORIES by Emmanuel O. Nwachukwu A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate School, the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Communication at The University of Southern Mississippi in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Approved by: Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin, Committee Chair Dr. Christopher Campbell, Committee Member Dr. David Davies, Committee Member Dr. Cheryl Jenkins, Committee Member Dr. Fei Xue, Committee Member ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin Dr. John Meyer Dr. Karen S. Coats Committee Chair Director of School Dean of the Graduate School May 2020 COPYRIGHT BY Emmanuel O.
    [Show full text]
  • The Impact of New Technology on the News Production Process in the Newsroom
    The impact of new technology on the news production process in the newsroom By Abdulsamad Zangana A DISSERTATION Submitted to The University of Liverpool In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of DoCtor of Philosophy 2017 Abstract The change brought about by new teChnology in the television newsroom has beCome a key aspeCt of the development of the television industry in Iraqi- Kurdistan; since the newsroom has begun to adopt a new automated system, it has particularly shaped journalists’ practice and the method of news production within their workplace network. This change has led to the Creation of a new form of journalistic practice, particularly with regard to multi-skills, multi- media and multi-tasks within the newsroom network. Hence, these teChnologiCal Changes have provided the news practitioner with more opportunities to obtain a detailed understanding of their practiCes, interactions and actions. This researCh projeCt provides an ethnographiC aCCount of newsroom Culture and journalists’ practice using automation and non-automation systems (see, chapter two distinction) in two Kurdish news Channels in Iraqi-Kurdistan. It draws upon in-depth interviews with journalists; non-participant observation and ColleCted doCumentation related to the research questions. The current research project is based upon two models: One is Community of Practice (COP)(see chapter 3), developed by Etienne Wenger (1998) and Jean Lave (1991). The COP approach provides a focus on subjects related to the workplace Culture, mutual engagement, identity of the members, shared history of learning, exchange of information, experience and shared knowledge. The other is the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) (Bruno Latour, 1992.
    [Show full text]
  • The First Amendment: Free Speech & a Free
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED- 2-61 92- 9 SO-0-1-6--784 AUTHOR Eveslage, Thomas TITLE The First Amendment: Free Speech & a Free. Press. A Curriculum Guide for High School TeacAers. PUB DATE 85 NOTE . 76p.;. Supported by the Gannett Foundation, the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, and the American Newspaper Publipers Association Foundation. AVAILABLE FROMQuill and Scroll, The University of loWi, Iowa City, IA,52242 ($4.50 each). PUB TYPE Guides - Classroom Use- Guides (For Teachers) (052) EDRS PRICE MFOl'Plus Postage. PC Not Available from EDRS.. DESCRIPTORS Advertising; Broadcast Television; Censorship; Civil Rights; Confidentiality; Constitutional Law; Copyrights; Court Litigation; CUrriculum Guides; English Instruction; Ethics; *Freedom of Speech; High. Schools; 'Journalism; Learning Activities; *News Media; Neits Reporting; News Writing; Privacy; Resource Materials; Social Studies;,Student Responsibillty; Student.Rights IDENTIFIERS *First Amendment; Libel' 7 ABSTRACT This curriculum guide is intended to encourage studcnts to learn how everyone benefits when young people,.'pther citizens, and the media:exercise the constitutional rights of free speech and free press. Background information on free speech issues is provided, along with classroom activities, diScussion questions, and student worksheets. There are 11 chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 summarize why the First Amendment should be studied and how'that study might be approached. A brief discussion of how constitutional law and courts operate is provided in chapter 3. Other chapters outline and discuss specific free speech topits'affectng the media. - These include free expression versus government authority; libel; privacy and copyright; confidentiality, contempt, and the courtroom; obscenity, responsibility, and codes of ethics; and broadcast and advertising regulation.
    [Show full text]
  • Media Scrutiny of Politicians and the Relevance of Private Life and Personality Stephanie Lynn Salomon James Madison University
    James Madison University JMU Scholarly Commons Senior Honors Projects, 2010-current Honors College Spring 2014 Media scrutiny of politicians and the relevance of private life and personality Stephanie Lynn Salomon James Madison University Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors201019 Recommended Citation Salomon, Stephanie Lynn, "Media scrutiny of politicians and the relevance of private life and personality" (2014). Senior Honors Projects, 2010-current. 473. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors201019/473 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors College at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Senior Honors Projects, 2010-current by an authorized administrator of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Media Scrutiny of Politicians and the Relevance of Private Life and Personality _______________________ A Project Presented to the Faculty of the Undergraduate College of Arts and Letters James Madison University _______________________ in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts _______________________ by Stephanie Lynn Salomon May 2014 Accepted by the faculty of the Department of Political Science, James Madison University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts. FACULTY COMMITTEE: HONORS PROGRAM APPROVAL: Project Advisor: David Jones, Ph.D. Barry Falk, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Political Science Director, Honors Program Reader: Kathleen Ferraiolo,
    [Show full text]
  • 1297 Ciara Torres-Spelliscy∗
    06_TORRES.DOCX 1/20/17 1:47 PM SHOOTING YOUR BRAND IN THE FOOT: WHAT CITIZENS UNITED INVITES Ciara Torres-Spelliscy∗ TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1298 I. WHAT IS A BRAND? ............................................................................... 1304 A. Dollars and Sense of Brands ............................................... 1306 B. Brands as Expression .......................................................... 1311 C. That Brand Belongs to Me ................................................... 1312 II. THIS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ............. 1315 III. RED AMERICA V. BLUE AMERICA ...................................................... 1322 A. The Political Parties Are Drifting Apart ............................. 1322 B. Are Customers Bringing Their Partisanship to the Store? .................................................................................... 1325 C. Boycotting the Politically Active Brand? ............................. 1327 IV. I’M TAKING MY BUSINESS ELSEWHERE ............................................. 1328 A. Even Founding Fathers Boycotted ...................................... 1331 B. Boycotting Segregation ........................................................ 1333 C. Targeting Target .................................................................. 1335 V. THE GADFLY SHAREHOLDERS KEEP BUZZING .................................... 1337 A. Political Shareholder Resolutions Target Target ..............
    [Show full text]
  • Boycott Or Buycott?: Internal Politics and Consumer Choices
    BOYCOTT OR BUYCOTT?: INTERNAL POLITICS AND CONSUMER CHOICES Xavier Cuadras-Morató y Josep Maria Raya [email protected] Departamento de Economía y Empresa Universitat Pompeu Fabra Área Temática: Spatial Economic Analysis and Economic Geography Resumen: (máximo 300 palabras) Do political tensions affect economic relations? In particular, does politics significantly affect consumer choices? Firms are often threatened by consumer boycotts that pretend to modify their business strategies and behavior. Often things get more complicated and boycotts on firms are caused by more general political conflicts. Examples of this kind of boycotts arise when, due to interstate tensions, consumers from one country are called to boycott products from another country. The main objective of the paper is to study the consequences of politically motivated boycott calls on sales of Catalan cava (a type of sparkling wine mainly produced in Catalonia) in the aggregated Spanish market and also in different regions of the country. There is a substantial literature dealing with the impact on product sales of consumer boycotts motivated by political conflicts at the international level. Our paper, instead, deals with a consumer boycott that took place in 2005 and had its origin in internal political and territorial struggles within Spain. We use data from sales of sparkling wine in supermarkets and similar outlets. To determine with precision the boycott period we use data on the number of news about the issue that appeared in the main national Spanish daily newspapers. Although we present some preliminary evidence that the boycott calls affected the share of Catalan cava in the Spanish market, the results of our main econometric exercise indicate that, once we control for the time trends of the different varieties of sparkling wine, the boycott effects cease to be significant in the aggregate Spanish market.
    [Show full text]