Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0001
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
This introductory chapter presents an assessment of the British railway system under nationalization, public perceptions of rail transport, and the ‘political’ economy of the railways. Topics ...
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This introductory chapter presents an assessment of the British railway system under nationalization, public perceptions of rail transport, and the ‘political’ economy of the railways. Topics discussed include the British Railways Board, the Railways Act 1974, and the difficulties of public sector management.Less
This introductory chapter presents an assessment of the British railway system under nationalization, public perceptions of rail transport, and the ‘political’ economy of the railways. Topics discussed include the British Railways Board, the Railways Act 1974, and the difficulties of public sector management.
Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0010
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
This chapter discusses the increased attention on railway safety issues following the Clapham accident. Topics covered include the transformation of the safety culture, additional spending on safety, ...
More
This chapter discusses the increased attention on railway safety issues following the Clapham accident. Topics covered include the transformation of the safety culture, additional spending on safety, automatic train protection, and improvements in the safety record.Less
This chapter discusses the increased attention on railway safety issues following the Clapham accident. Topics covered include the transformation of the safety culture, additional spending on safety, automatic train protection, and improvements in the safety record.
Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0012
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
This chapter focuses on the reorganization of the British Railways Board to make way for privatization. Topics discussed include the new railway structure and the management of the restructuring ...
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This chapter focuses on the reorganization of the British Railways Board to make way for privatization. Topics discussed include the new railway structure and the management of the restructuring process. It is shown that the period 1992-4 was marked by disequilibrium and frenetic activity. Despite the Board's opposition to the government's chosen model for railway privatization, a group of key managers entered a period marked by extreme hard work with the aim of complying with imposed and tight deadlines.Less
This chapter focuses on the reorganization of the British Railways Board to make way for privatization. Topics discussed include the new railway structure and the management of the restructuring process. It is shown that the period 1992-4 was marked by disequilibrium and frenetic activity. Despite the Board's opposition to the government's chosen model for railway privatization, a group of key managers entered a period marked by extreme hard work with the aim of complying with imposed and tight deadlines.
Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0013
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
This chapter summarizes the main steps in the privatization of railways after 1994 and evaluates the performance of public sector management over twenty years of significant change. It is shown that ...
More
This chapter summarizes the main steps in the privatization of railways after 1994 and evaluates the performance of public sector management over twenty years of significant change. It is shown that between 1974 and 1994, British Rail evolved from a rather unwieldy, monolithic structure into one that provided improved services, marketing, and customer care. British Rail's managers also worked to produce their own organizational solution for the industry.Less
This chapter summarizes the main steps in the privatization of railways after 1994 and evaluates the performance of public sector management over twenty years of significant change. It is shown that between 1974 and 1994, British Rail evolved from a rather unwieldy, monolithic structure into one that provided improved services, marketing, and customer care. British Rail's managers also worked to produce their own organizational solution for the industry.
Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0005
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
The Serpell Report, Review of Railway Finances, published in January 1983 was the most important policy document of the decade to affect the railway industry. The ramifications of the report spread ...
More
The Serpell Report, Review of Railway Finances, published in January 1983 was the most important policy document of the decade to affect the railway industry. The ramifications of the report spread far beyond a narrow definition of finance to encompass planning and long-term strategic objectives, government-railway relations, management structures, and costs. This chapter examines the antecedents to the appointment of the review committee in May 1982, and the implications of the report for future railway management.Less
The Serpell Report, Review of Railway Finances, published in January 1983 was the most important policy document of the decade to affect the railway industry. The ramifications of the report spread far beyond a narrow definition of finance to encompass planning and long-term strategic objectives, government-railway relations, management structures, and costs. This chapter examines the antecedents to the appointment of the review committee in May 1982, and the implications of the report for future railway management.
Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0006
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
This chapter focuses on the efforts of British Rail to address some of the major problems identified by the Serpell Review of Railway Finances. These include operating costs, the size of the network, ...
More
This chapter focuses on the efforts of British Rail to address some of the major problems identified by the Serpell Review of Railway Finances. These include operating costs, the size of the network, engineering costs, and investment.Less
This chapter focuses on the efforts of British Rail to address some of the major problems identified by the Serpell Review of Railway Finances. These include operating costs, the size of the network, engineering costs, and investment.
Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0007
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
This chapter discusses the significance of the disposal of the British Railways Board's subsidiary businesses. These include British Transport Hotels, Sealink and the harbours, property portfolio, ...
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This chapter discusses the significance of the disposal of the British Railways Board's subsidiary businesses. These include British Transport Hotels, Sealink and the harbours, property portfolio, and catering and advertising businesses. The sale of assets provided cash to address British Rail's financial problems, particularly during the recession of the early 1980s. In the late 1980s, the disposals contributed to cash resources, thereby assisting in the Board's efforts to reduce PSO while financing investment without additional borrowing.Less
This chapter discusses the significance of the disposal of the British Railways Board's subsidiary businesses. These include British Transport Hotels, Sealink and the harbours, property portfolio, and catering and advertising businesses. The sale of assets provided cash to address British Rail's financial problems, particularly during the recession of the early 1980s. In the late 1980s, the disposals contributed to cash resources, thereby assisting in the Board's efforts to reduce PSO while financing investment without additional borrowing.
Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0008
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
This chapter begins with a discussion of the British Railways Board's management changes and the political climate in which the board operated during the early 1990s. It then discusses the challenges ...
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This chapter begins with a discussion of the British Railways Board's management changes and the political climate in which the board operated during the early 1990s. It then discusses the challenges of the 1989-93 recession, efforts to maintain the quality of passenger services, passenger marketing and pricing, increased pressures on the Freight and Parcels business, productivity, and industrial relations in the early 1990s.Less
This chapter begins with a discussion of the British Railways Board's management changes and the political climate in which the board operated during the early 1990s. It then discusses the challenges of the 1989-93 recession, efforts to maintain the quality of passenger services, passenger marketing and pricing, increased pressures on the Freight and Parcels business, productivity, and industrial relations in the early 1990s.
Terry Gourvish
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199250059
- eISBN:
- 9780191719516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199250059.003.0009
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Business History
This chapter focuses on railway investments. Topics discussed include investment promotion, reduced investment spending in 1990, the need for project management and procurement, and investments on ...
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This chapter focuses on railway investments. Topics discussed include investment promotion, reduced investment spending in 1990, the need for project management and procurement, and investments on Channel Tunnel services and the High-Speed Rail Link.Less
This chapter focuses on railway investments. Topics discussed include investment promotion, reduced investment spending in 1990, the need for project management and procurement, and investments on Channel Tunnel services and the High-Speed Rail Link.
Bridget M. Hutter
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199242504
- eISBN:
- 9780191697128
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199242504.003.0011
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Public Management, Organization Studies
The years immediately following the data collection for this research witnessed an acceleration of trends already in evidence during the research period. The privatization process came to a climax in ...
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The years immediately following the data collection for this research witnessed an acceleration of trends already in evidence during the research period. The privatization process came to a climax in 1993 with the Railways Act, which paved the way for the full privatization of British Railways. This chapter describes the changes that occurred during the post-research period, considers their effects, and discusses some of the lessons learned from experience.Less
The years immediately following the data collection for this research witnessed an acceleration of trends already in evidence during the research period. The privatization process came to a climax in 1993 with the Railways Act, which paved the way for the full privatization of British Railways. This chapter describes the changes that occurred during the post-research period, considers their effects, and discusses some of the lessons learned from experience.
Charles Heckscher, Michael Maccoby, Rafael Ramirez, and Pierre-Eric Tixier
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199261758
- eISBN:
- 9780191718687
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199261758.001.0001
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Organization Studies
This book focuses on the transition faced by business organizations and their stakeholders as they move from protected markets to open competition, and it explores how these changes can be ...
More
This book focuses on the transition faced by business organizations and their stakeholders as they move from protected markets to open competition, and it explores how these changes can be facilitated by outside interveners/agents. Centering on four case studies — AT&T, Lucent, Electricité de France, and the Italian State Railways — the book analyses the approach to intervention, the problems created by existing systems of stakeholder dialogue, and the prospects for change. It draws two fundamental lessons. Firstly, that intervention in these situations must be broad and involving — a ‘full engagement’ approach — in order to achieve changes in relations and identities among a range of players. The book explores the key elements and practical techniques of this approach. Secondly, that the issues ultimately go beyond improving union-management relations or organizational structures; even in the best cases, the players have been unable to reach stable agreements in the face of continuing pressures for change. A deep transformation of the system of stakeholder relations is required — the creation of a system of ‘post-industrial relations’. The book includes discussion of managerial problems and intervention strategies in an ever more responsive and flexible economy, and also the implications for democracy in the work-place and the future of union representation. The book is valuable for consultants, unionists, managers, and public policy makers, and accessible also to students and the interested public.Less
This book focuses on the transition faced by business organizations and their stakeholders as they move from protected markets to open competition, and it explores how these changes can be facilitated by outside interveners/agents. Centering on four case studies — AT&T, Lucent, Electricité de France, and the Italian State Railways — the book analyses the approach to intervention, the problems created by existing systems of stakeholder dialogue, and the prospects for change. It draws two fundamental lessons. Firstly, that intervention in these situations must be broad and involving — a ‘full engagement’ approach — in order to achieve changes in relations and identities among a range of players. The book explores the key elements and practical techniques of this approach. Secondly, that the issues ultimately go beyond improving union-management relations or organizational structures; even in the best cases, the players have been unable to reach stable agreements in the face of continuing pressures for change. A deep transformation of the system of stakeholder relations is required — the creation of a system of ‘post-industrial relations’. The book includes discussion of managerial problems and intervention strategies in an ever more responsive and flexible economy, and also the implications for democracy in the work-place and the future of union representation. The book is valuable for consultants, unionists, managers, and public policy makers, and accessible also to students and the interested public.
Charles Heckscher, Michael Maccoby, Rafael Ramirez, and Pierre-Eric Tixier
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199261758
- eISBN:
- 9780191718687
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199261758.003.0004
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Organization Studies
This chapter describes an intervention centered on a dynamic and charismatic leader's vision of the transformation of the Italian Railways, which ran into conflicting pressures from major ...
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This chapter describes an intervention centered on a dynamic and charismatic leader's vision of the transformation of the Italian Railways, which ran into conflicting pressures from major stakeholders inside and outside the organization. In the short run these resistances blocked the effort, though in the longer run the business logic identified by the consultants continued to develop.Less
This chapter describes an intervention centered on a dynamic and charismatic leader's vision of the transformation of the Italian Railways, which ran into conflicting pressures from major stakeholders inside and outside the organization. In the short run these resistances blocked the effort, though in the longer run the business logic identified by the consultants continued to develop.
Ashwani Deshpande
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198072034
- eISBN:
- 9780199081028
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198072034.003.0007
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This chapter discusses the Indian affirmative action (AA) programme, which primarily takes the form of caste-based quotas. Unlike in the US context, which has produced empirical studies of the ...
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This chapter discusses the Indian affirmative action (AA) programme, which primarily takes the form of caste-based quotas. Unlike in the US context, which has produced empirical studies of the productivity impact of AA, for India not a single study has empirically examined the relationship between AA and efficiency or productivity of the enterprise. The first effort to redress this gap was a study by Deshpande and Weisskopf (2010). Examining data from the Indian Railways for 23 years over eight zones, it was shown that AA had no adverse effect on productivity or total output. In some cases, the presence of quota employees in the highest decision-making jobs has a positive impact, confirming the results from several of the US studies.Less
This chapter discusses the Indian affirmative action (AA) programme, which primarily takes the form of caste-based quotas. Unlike in the US context, which has produced empirical studies of the productivity impact of AA, for India not a single study has empirically examined the relationship between AA and efficiency or productivity of the enterprise. The first effort to redress this gap was a study by Deshpande and Weisskopf (2010). Examining data from the Indian Railways for 23 years over eight zones, it was shown that AA had no adverse effect on productivity or total output. In some cases, the presence of quota employees in the highest decision-making jobs has a positive impact, confirming the results from several of the US studies.
Bridget M. Hutter
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199242504
- eISBN:
- 9780191697128
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199242504.003.0002
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Public Management, Organization Studies
This chapter provides an overview of the history and structure of the railway industry in Great Britain. It considers the historical context of regulation, with particular focus on the development of ...
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This chapter provides an overview of the history and structure of the railway industry in Great Britain. It considers the historical context of regulation, with particular focus on the development of occupational health and safety regulation; discusses the structure of British Railways at the time of data collection in the late 1980s and early 1990s; and looks at the wider context within which this research took place.Less
This chapter provides an overview of the history and structure of the railway industry in Great Britain. It considers the historical context of regulation, with particular focus on the development of occupational health and safety regulation; discusses the structure of British Railways at the time of data collection in the late 1980s and early 1990s; and looks at the wider context within which this research took place.
Bridget M. Hutter
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199242504
- eISBN:
- 9780191697128
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199242504.003.0004
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Public Management, Organization Studies
This chapter draws on research data collected from staff across British Railways to consider how much they knew about the general regulatory provisions for their occupational health and safety. It ...
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This chapter draws on research data collected from staff across British Railways to consider how much they knew about the general regulatory provisions for their occupational health and safety. It focuses on legal provisions, in particular whether those in the industry knew about the Health and Safety Work Act, 1974, and, if so, how much they knew about its objectives and provisions.Less
This chapter draws on research data collected from staff across British Railways to consider how much they knew about the general regulatory provisions for their occupational health and safety. It focuses on legal provisions, in particular whether those in the industry knew about the Health and Safety Work Act, 1974, and, if so, how much they knew about its objectives and provisions.
Bridget M. Hutter
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199242504
- eISBN:
- 9780191697128
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199242504.003.0005
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Public Management, Organization Studies
The main agency tasked with regulating the railways at the time of data collection was the Railway Inspectorate, which decided on behalf of the state how the law and its objectives were given meaning ...
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The main agency tasked with regulating the railways at the time of data collection was the Railway Inspectorate, which decided on behalf of the state how the law and its objectives were given meaning in everyday life. This chapter begins with a discussion of legal objectives and Railway Inspectorate's regulatory objectives. It then draws on research data collected from staff across British Railways to determine who much they understood about these objectives.Less
The main agency tasked with regulating the railways at the time of data collection was the Railway Inspectorate, which decided on behalf of the state how the law and its objectives were given meaning in everyday life. This chapter begins with a discussion of legal objectives and Railway Inspectorate's regulatory objectives. It then draws on research data collected from staff across British Railways to determine who much they understood about these objectives.
Bridget M. Hutter
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199242504
- eISBN:
- 9780191697128
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199242504.003.0006
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Public Management, Organization Studies
The Health and Safety Work Act, 1974, instituted a system of enforced self-regulation which placed the primary responsibility for health and safety within the industry. This chapter considers the ...
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The Health and Safety Work Act, 1974, instituted a system of enforced self-regulation which placed the primary responsibility for health and safety within the industry. This chapter considers the internal systems that British Railways (BR) put into place in compliance with legislation, and assesses how these regulatory systems operated. It tries to determine how much employees knew about the company's own systems, rules, and procedures for health and safety. Attention is given to staff knowledge and perceptions of BR's written policies and to its systems for promoting employee health and safety.Less
The Health and Safety Work Act, 1974, instituted a system of enforced self-regulation which placed the primary responsibility for health and safety within the industry. This chapter considers the internal systems that British Railways (BR) put into place in compliance with legislation, and assesses how these regulatory systems operated. It tries to determine how much employees knew about the company's own systems, rules, and procedures for health and safety. Attention is given to staff knowledge and perceptions of BR's written policies and to its systems for promoting employee health and safety.
Bridget M. Hutter
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199242504
- eISBN:
- 9780191697128
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199242504.003.0008
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Public Management, Organization Studies
This chapter considers the sources of information available to British Railways (BR) staff as well as health and safety training courses and different types of information. Most BR employees were ...
More
This chapter considers the sources of information available to British Railways (BR) staff as well as health and safety training courses and different types of information. Most BR employees were aware that information about health and safety was available to them. Numerous sources were cited, but these were mainly written sources and there was a general perception that verbal communication was much more effective. The main source of unwritten health and safety information was training. This was not perceived as being generally available and when it was, it was not regarded as being high quality.Less
This chapter considers the sources of information available to British Railways (BR) staff as well as health and safety training courses and different types of information. Most BR employees were aware that information about health and safety was available to them. Numerous sources were cited, but these were mainly written sources and there was a general perception that verbal communication was much more effective. The main source of unwritten health and safety information was training. This was not perceived as being generally available and when it was, it was not regarded as being high quality.
Bridget M. Hutter
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199242504
- eISBN:
- 9780191697128
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199242504.003.0009
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Public Management, Organization Studies
This chapter considers how much British Railways employees knew about the accidents that happened at work and the impact of these accidents. It also considers respondents' more general understanding ...
More
This chapter considers how much British Railways employees knew about the accidents that happened at work and the impact of these accidents. It also considers respondents' more general understanding of the risks associated with their working environment and how they react to them.Less
This chapter considers how much British Railways employees knew about the accidents that happened at work and the impact of these accidents. It also considers respondents' more general understanding of the risks associated with their working environment and how they react to them.
Bridget M. Hutter
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199242504
- eISBN:
- 9780191697128
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199242504.003.0010
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Public Management, Organization Studies
Chapter 9 showed that majority of respondents had a broadly accurate understanding of where, why, and how accidents happened within their working environment. This chapter further examines how risk ...
More
Chapter 9 showed that majority of respondents had a broadly accurate understanding of where, why, and how accidents happened within their working environment. This chapter further examines how risk may or may not influence lives by considering how such understanding of risk may be related to the propensity to take risk. In particular, it focuses on issues of compliance and non-compliance with state regulation, and on the resulting company risk-management systems.Less
Chapter 9 showed that majority of respondents had a broadly accurate understanding of where, why, and how accidents happened within their working environment. This chapter further examines how risk may or may not influence lives by considering how such understanding of risk may be related to the propensity to take risk. In particular, it focuses on issues of compliance and non-compliance with state regulation, and on the resulting company risk-management systems.
