COM Research Seminar: Adaptation in Highly Embedded Information Environments: A Preliminary Investigation of Local News Operations and Emerging Organizational Theory by Dr. Brian S. Butler

29 Jan 2024 (Mon)

On January 29, 2024, Dr. Brian S. Butler, the Dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama and an esteemed scholar in social media dynamics, hosted an online seminar titled "Adaptation in Highly Embedded Information Environments: A Preliminary Investigation of Local News Operations and Emerging Organizational Theory". During the seminar, Dr. Butler addressed the urgent need for local news organizations to evolve in response to rapid technological, economic, and social changes that are reshaping modern information dissemination. He explored the applicability of information systems and organizational science theories to the strategic planning of local news operations, which significantly differ from the larger, product-focused corporations more commonly examined in such research. Drawing on his experience with a Southeastern U.S. media group, Dr. Butler proposed innovative ideas and critical questions to enhance the understanding of the challenges and transformations needed by local news entities in information-dense environments. The seminar drew around 25 participants, including faculty, Ph.D. students, and scholars from various fields.