British Film Institute Television Industry Tracking Study, 1994-1998

The British Film Institute (BFI) began the longitudinal TV Industry Tracking Study in 1994 to examine the effects of structural, organisational and technological changes in the TV industry on the careers of individual TV production workers. The BFI has worked in partnership with the University of Cambridge Judge Institute of Management since 1997.<br> The main aims and objectives of this research have been:<br> to collect data through twice yearly diary/questionnaires over a four year period to a panel of 450, and to interview small sub-samples of respondents;<br> to carry out interdisciplinary analysis of the whole dataset in order to:<br> a) analyse the links between individuals' work and life histories, on the one hand, and their labour market and industry environments on the other;<br> b) examine and compare the characteristics, career opportunities, and work attitudes of different age groups;<br> c) document the effects of changing conditions of television production, for instance, the high levels of casualisation and flexibility now required, on TV workers and on their quality of life;<br> d) examine the development and use of skills, experience and knowledge by these workers within different production environments; and consider job searching and recruitment practices; <br> e) analyse individuals' experiences of career development, work culture, team work, creativity, and trust in different work organisations; and investigate their strategies for coping in an increasingly competitive and uncertain television industry environment.<br> These data will also provide useful information about the capacity of the television workforce and its organisations, to sustain and develop programme production range, quality and innovation, and to cope with competition.