David Harris

Doctor of Business and Administration
Study Completed: 2009
Massey Business School

Citation

Thesis Title
A discourse analysis of the nature of institutions in New Zealand rugby 1985 and 2005

Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon

Mr Harris used ideas from institutional theory and discourse analysis to focus upon the environment of New Zealand rugby in the years 1985 and 2005. The analysis used data from interviews and texts to build a picture of the nature of some twenty taken-for-granted understandings that might be seen to have existed in the chosen years. The understandings are given vivid labels such as, ‘The clubs are history’, ‘Central control is the way to go!’, and ‘Thank the ladies for the spread’. The research presents an interpretation of how these evolving understandings might impact on the way decisions of the New Zealand Rugby Union are received and acted upon. One implication that emerges in the analysis is that the current development path for the All Blacks might be too narrowly cloned and may be limiting the chances of success in Rugby World Cups.

Supervisors
Dr James Lockhart
Professor Sarah Leberman