The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of a unique experiment by the Rugby Football League, to apply the American professional team sports model to its game, making it the first British sport ever to attempt this. It investigates the economic, financial and social changes, which have occurred within the sport of rugby league, since the introduction of the 'Super League'. The adoption of the American professional team sports model is based on increasing the uncertainty of outcome of games in order to ensure profit maximisation of the clubs. This has raised a number of issues, pertaining to both the game of rugby league itself, the difference between American and British sport, and the ever increasing effect of television revenues and mass media on sport. The adaptation of the model by rugby league officials has resulted in decisive changes to the way the game is played and how the Rugby Football League is run. A change to three divisions from two, the introduction of a 'Super League' copying football's Premiership and a switch from the traditional winter game to a summer season has taken place. Also critical has been the move from terrestrial to satellite television and the effect of this move on network externalities that could influence the long-term future of the game. The £87million financial investment from Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation provided the catalyst for change, in exchange for the five-year exclusive broadcasting rights to the game. The American model was utilised in order to try and financially stabilise the league through the process of profit maximisation. The need for equilibrium within the league also led to the utilisation of various restrictive controls, all of which are common-place in the United States. After critically evaluating the relevant literature, attention is turned to testing the effect of the experiment of applying the American model to British Rugby League. A five-strand approach has been adopted using data both pre and post, the introduction of Super League, utilising nine, case study-clubs throughout the study. Firstly, any change in uncertainty of outcome was examined using the standard deviation of Win/Loss percentage adapted from the approach by Noll (1988) and Scully (1989). Demand for the live matches through attendance figures and broadcasting demand, using audience viewing data were examined. The third strand examines whether the predicted outcome of the American model, and increases in revenue and profit, have been achieved. Finally, two social surveys were carried out on three major stakeholder groups, club officials, players and supporters. The results indicate that the application of the American Professional Team Sports model to rugby league did not achieve the predicted outcome of increased uncertainty, attendance and ultimately, revenue. The reasons for this can be explained by the partial implementations of the model and non-market factors, which appear to be much more significant within British Rugby League than in American sports. The over-riding results suggest that regardless of structural or organisational changes, rugby league is destined to remain a northern minority sport.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Thomas Schatz. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

This diploma thesis deals with the British Sunday tabloid paper News of the World. By using the method of historical analysis it covers all its history from its foundation to its closure. The aim of this thesis is to put the newspaper's beginning, growth and end into the context of its era. The first chapters describe the rise of periodical press in Great Britain and in connection with that the social situation and technological progress in print. The chapters also deal with the first stage of development of News of the World, that is, when it was owned by the Carr family. On the grounds of socio-economic and political situation the chapters discover which factors added to the massive growth of circulation and big popularity of this Sunday paper. The second half of this thesis covers the development of the newspaper under the ownership of Rupert Murdoch, starting with the battle over its buy out against Robert Maxwell. The thesis analyses changes Murdoch implemented and brings examples of scandals and controversies this newspaper had throughout all its history.The last chapter addresses the phone-hacking scandal which led to the paper's closure after 168 years and its consequences to Murdoch's media empire News Corporation, as well as to the British newspapers market and its self-regulatory principles.

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This thesis provides a biographical case study of the crisis faced by News of the World, after revelations of unethical journalistic practices within the newspaper. A scandal that rapidly moved up the organizational hierarchy and spread globally, affecting stakeholders amongst all its networks from local British communities to its parent company News Corporation and its main owners, the Murdoch family. Corporate social responsibility and stakeholder management is presented as a key factor in order to uphold and obtain the society’s permission to operate. The study shows the importance of being a good corporate citizen, not solely as goodwill but in order to gain a parachute that can moderate the fall when facing a crisis.

Chow, Chun Shu. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-187). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p.iv / Tables and Figures --- p.vi / Chapter Part 1 --- An Overview / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Literature Review --- p.8 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Theoretical Framework --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Methodology and Research Questions --- p.36 / Chapter Part 2 --- Comparison between Headline Daily and The Standard / Chapter Chapter 5: --- The July 1st Rally 2009 --- p.42 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Legislative By-election 2007 --- p.67 / Chapter Part 3 --- Ethnography on Sing Tao Daily / Chapter Chapter 7: --- Newsroom observations and Newsmaking --- p.102 / Chapter Chapter 8: --- News Handling - Compliance of News Workers --- p.118 / Chapter Chapter 9: --- Interviews --- p.139 / Chapter Part 4 --- Discussion and Conclusion / Chapter Chapter 10: --- Discussion --- p.148 / Chapter Chapter 11: --- Conclusion and Limitations --- p.161 / "Appendix I: Comparison between Headlines, Word Count and Page Count of Headline Daily and The Standard on Legislative Council By-election 2007" --- p.167 / Appendix II: List of news articles written during the part-time working period in Sing Tao Daily --- p.174 / Appendix III: List of Reporters and Assignment Editors in Sing Tao Daily whom I have encountered during the working period --- p.179 / References --- p.180

Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-105).

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