Abstract:
Aims at studying the expansion, impact and adjustment trend of the printed media business in the midst of economic crisis, including the factors that related to the impact of adjustment, using the Manager Media Group as a case study. The research methods include analysis of data obtained from observation, depth interview and documents. The study reveals that the expansion of the printed media business is the pertinent characteristic of the organization, starting from the monthly business magazine, Phu Chat Karn, which indicates the expertise of the publisher in presenting in-depth content of management and business news. The success of the first magazine has led to other publications in addition to an expansion of the organization through investment in other business relating to printed media with the aim to build a complete cycle of printed media organization. The economic condition at the time was favorable; there was high rate of expansion leading to extensive investment opportunity. The company, therefor, ventured into other business not directly relating to printed media with a view to increase its capacity in generating more income. The expansion of the printed media business took place rapidly and soon yielded a negative impact upon the structure of the organization. Staff development failed to be in line with the company's expansion. Meanwhile, the organization suffered several internal problems, e.g. capital investment and clash of ideas. When the economic crisis occurred the company was badly effected financially which forced it to make adjustment by lowering the cost and downsizing the organization as well as closing down some local and overseas business. Only 3 main publications out of approximately 30 survive the crisis, namely, Phu Chat Karn Magazine, Phu Chat Karn Weekly Newspaper and Phu Chat Karn Daily Newspaper. Teh company was also forced to lay off some of its staff, file petition to the civil court to resuscitate its business and adjust the organization structure and quality to revive the reader's base. The findings of the research further reveal that both the internal and external factors have direct impact upon the company, which lead to overall adjustment of the Manager Media Group. In considering the sequence of events relating to the expansion and operation of the company, it is found that the internal factors exercise a direct impact in the first phase. The external factors, on the other hand, function later with increased impact, forcing the company to speed up its strategic adjustment in business operation together with downsizing the organization. The major factors that cause the company to adjust itself include the manufacturing cost, the organization, the executives, the administration, economic condition and advertising.