This thesis is a critical examination of the UK defence discourse. It is an exploration of the dominant explanation of defence in the UK in 2015, as evidenced by the artefacts of the discourse - most importantly, by the voices of those within the community. In doing so, this thesis seeks to challenge the notion that there is only one right way to manage and judge the notion of defence, highlighting the cultural and contextual dependence of such ideas, and the dangers which arise from it. In asking the simple question what is defence? I have aimed at identifying the references and experiences, through the deployment of an ethnographic approach, which are drawn on to construct the dominant understanding. In doing so, I have sought to distinguish that which is considered legitimate by the dominant managerial narrative and in what contexts. My findings are illustrated in the form of a power structure within which language and symbolism, and their influence on practice, together build the defence community's expression of identity. The predominance of managerialism in today's explanation of defence in the UK and the failings I have identified as a result, are perceivable throughout the UK public sector. Therefore, the restrictive nature of the narrative in excluding creativity and innovation in the defence sector, also has implications for wider public sector reform in the UK and abroad. The primary contribution this thesis makes rests in the application of the ethnographic approach and a post-structuralist three-pillared framework to a discipline which has traditionally been analysed from an organisational or political perspective. The hope is that, in applying this same approach in multiple contexts, a greater understanding of the mechanisms sustaining dominant explanations can be gained, as well as of the importance of legitimised spaces for innovation and creativity in reform processes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:720056 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Thompson, Gabriela |
| Contributors | Harris, Elaine |
| Publisher | University of Roehampton |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/for-effect-or-affect-uk-defence-change-management(a766fe2c-307b-41c6-97f6-ae2d4d469477).html |
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