Holder, CA
2017,
The impact of professionalism on organisational effectiveness : a case study of the Notting Hill Carnival, 1989 to 2002
, DProf thesis, University of Salford.
Abstract
According to the literature, organisational effectiveness within both the private and public sectors is significantly impaired by mismanagement stemming from low levels of professionalism within the management process. This in turn is said to lead to high levels of organisational failure.
Within the thesis this concept of professionalism in management is taken to comprise four elements: firstly, a common sense of organisational purpose; secondly, relevant professional knowledge; thirdly, behaviour which is appropriate to the situation; and finally, stakeholders’ expectations. All of these, in turn, are seen to be associated with various approaches adopted by professional bodies.
The research explores how aspects of professionalism in management can be employed to achieve organisational effectiveness in a failing organisation. Specifically, it will focus on the role that the integration of effort, capability and expertise can play in contributing to this goal.
It does so through the vehicle of a qualitative case study which examines the impact of management systems and approaches employed within a single organisation. The chosen organisation is the Notting Hill Carnival Trust, the charitable organisation with responsibility for the strategic and operational management of London’s Notting Hill Carnival. The study is confined to the years between 1989 and 2002 which represented a critical period of change for the Carnival, and one which was characterised by a revolution in the Trust’s approach to management.
The research found that the new approaches employed by the Trust during this period had a significant effect on the attainment of organisational effectiveness, as demonstrated by improvements in financial stability, credibility, reputation and improved stakeholder relations. The process of change is demonstrated to have been characterised by the professionalisation of its management team and its willingness and ability to learn and adapt to achieve success and change.
The research is therefore consistent with the existing literature on the importance of professionalism in management. Furthermore, it highlights the requirement for high levels of specialised training, professional standards and accountability, thus drawing attention to the important role played by the professional bodies in achieving organisational effectiveness. In so doing the research makes a contribution to the existing literature by conceptualising the importance of professionalism in this way, and in demonstrating how management theory, practice and education can benefit from placing greater reliance on these aspects in the future.
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