Tradition Under Fire: Values, Role Regulation and Work Identity within the Fire and Rescue Service Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration At the University of Northampton Year 2018 Shaun Hallam © [Shaun Hallam [2018 (DBA)]. This thesis is copyright material and no quotation from it may be published without proper acknowledgement Abstract The Fire and Rescue Service is characterised by a strong culture, reinforced by positive esteem. But the role of the Firefighter in society is changing by design, and as a reaction to changing demand and a need to diversify, beyond that of a traditional model. This is a qualitative study, which gets to the heart of what it means to be a Firefighter. This provides us with a fascinating insight from the front line of the Fire and Rescue Service during a significant period of change, to consider how this is, or will affect what it means to be a Firefighter. By focussing on identity during this period of flux, this study considers how Firefighters renegotiate self-images and work orientations in response to their changing environment. This raises the importance of how Firefighter values and identity influence organisational perspectives regarding strategic direction, mission determination, visioning, and ultimately performance outcomes within a County Council Fire and Rescue Service. The present study offers a privileged personal account, which is uniquely viewed through an insider’s appreciation, providing a rare and fascinating insight into their worlds. This provides us the opportunity to look behind the scenes into what it means to be a Firefighter, making it unusual and interesting compared to other organisational studies in this area. i Dedication Firefighters train together, work together, face the risk, and often have to deal with some of the worst days in people’s lives, together. As one of the Firefighters said, ‘our aim is to make someone’s day that little bit better’. As a fellow Firefighter, it was fascinating to hear their personal stories of how important it is for them to be part of the Firefighter family. But the Firefighter family does not just involve those who work within the Service, when a Firefighter joins the job, so clearly does their family. Although so obviously proud, the support the families give to our Firefighters cannot be understated, often sharing in the stories of rescues, the excitement of large fires, and positive public appreciation for the role they play. But families also provide the silent support to help Firefighters deal with what they see and do that is so important. This research is dedicated to the families of our Firefighters, the silent backbone of our emergency services, helping our Firefighters deal with those difficult days. ii Acknowledgements It is rare for the Fire Service to support academic research at this level, particularly from an insider’s perspective. I would like to acknowledge the support I have received from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, not only from the Chief Fire Officer for sponsoring this research and investing in my personal development, but my fellow Firefighters in being so open, sharing their stories, their personal journey, the struggles and the celebrations. Through my 25 year career, I feel this is the first time I truly understand what it means to be a Firefighter. Any research, particularly done by senior fire officers in their own organisation may generate a certain amount of scepticism. I would like to acknowledge the support provided by the Fire Brigades Unions (FBU), Retained Firefighters Union (RFU), Association of Principal Fire Officers (APFO) and the Fire Officers Association (FOA). By the trade unions encouraging involvement and participation in the research activities, it enabled an open and inclusive approach to the study, which would have been difficult without their support. I would also like to thank the University of Northampton, the business school and my DBA colleagues. The professional doctorate brings together academics and professionals, bridging that gap between academic research and practice. Without the patience and support of Professor Peter Lawrence, my supervisor, or the support from my DBA colleagues, this would have been a totally different experience. The professional doctorate iii programme has not only developed me as an individual, but will contribute to making communities much safer as a result. On a personal note, I must acknowledge my wife, Amanda and my sons, Matthew and Jason, for their patience, understanding, at times tolerance, and for all their support, not only through this research but also during my career in the Service. The decision to undertake a doctorate was a difficult one for me; it is surrounded with a sense of sacrifice, time lost and needs to be managed against competing pressures. You do not do it alone; you cannot help sharing what you are thinking about and what you have learnt. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. iv INDEX Table of Contents ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... I DEDICATION ..................................................................................................................... II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... III LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................. VIII LIST OF GRAPHS ............................................................................................................... IX LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................ IX CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 10 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................... 18 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................... 18 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER 2: BACKGROUND .............................................................................................. 20 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND .................................................................................................... 20 21ST CENTURY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE .................................................................................. 24 STRUCTURE .................................................................................................................................. 26 THE STUDY GROUP - NORTHAMPTONSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE ............................................ 28 CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................... 35 BUT WHAT DO WE MEAN BY IDENTITY? ............................................................................................. 36 LOOKING THROUGH A THEORETICAL LENS ........................................................................................... 39 IDENTITY AS A SOCIAL INTERACTION .................................................................................................. 48 THE IMPLICATIONS FOR CHANGE ....................................................................................................... 50 OVERCOMING STIGMA .................................................................................................................... 52 IS IDENTITY FIXED OR CONSTANTLY CHANGING? .................................................................................. 55 LITERATURE REVIEW FINDINGS ............................................................................................... 59 v INDEX CHAPTER 4: RESEARCH DESIGN ....................................................................................... 62 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................. 62 ONTOLOGY AND EPISTEMOLOGY ...................................................................................................... 63 A GROUNDED THEORY APPROACH ................................................................................................... 66 METHOD .......................................................................................................................... 71 DATA COLLECTION - INTERVIEW GUIDE .............................................................................................. 74 INTERVIEW GUIDE - DOMAINS OF INQUIRY ........................................................................................ 75 INTERVIEW GUIDE - QUESTIONS ....................................................................................................... 77 INTERVIEW STRATEGY - PURPOSEFUL SAMPLING ................................................................................. 79 INTERVIEW GUIDE - PRE-AMBLE ...................................................................................................... 80 INTERVIEW GUIDE - INTERVIEW PROCESS ........................................................................................... 80 ANALYSIS STRATEGY ....................................................................................................................... 81 SUMMARY OF DATA COLLECTED