A study on the impact of the workplace reality show on the audience in China

• Thesis title in Czech: Studie o vlivu reality show na pracovišti na diváky v Číně
• Thesis title in English: A study on the impact of the workplace reality show on the audience in China
• Key words: Televize reality; Reality show na pracovišti; Průzkum publika; Sociální dopad; Reality show Vlivy čínského pracoviště
• English key words: Reality television; The workplace reality show; Audience research; Social impact; The Influences of Chinese workplace reality show
• Academic year of topic announcement: 2021/2022
• Thesis type: diploma thesis
• Thesis language: angličtina
• Department: Department of Sociology (23-KS)
• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Irena Reifová, Ph.D.
• Author: hidden - assigned by the advisor
• Date of registration: 06.10.2021
• Date of assignment: 06.10.2021
• Date and time of defence: 01.02.2023 12:00
• Date of electronic submission: 02.01.2023
• Date of proceeded defence: 01.02.2023
• Opponents: Mgr. Tereza Fousek Krobová, Ph.D.

Guidelines

I will use audience research methodology. This will allow me to send questionnaires and conduct in-depth interviews with different age groups, professions, and living areas to research the audience for the workplace reality show. I will apply An Exciting Offer and Workplace Newcomers as samples, which are popular workplace reality shows in China.
First, I will use the qualitative interview method to determine relevant perspectives and aspects. It is estimated that 20 sample audiences who are more familiar with workplace programs will be selected for interviews. We will discuss workplace reality shows, for example: which episodes of the show did they like or dislike, and at what time they watched them. In this part, the main research question is why audiences would watch this kind of show.
Afterward, according to the interview results, I would like to make a questionnaire for the questionnaire survey. I will attempt to use a larger sample size to understand the audience’s preferences. Also, I will analyze the data from questionnaires quantitatively to find the audience’s habits, preferences, and attitudes. In this part, the key research question is if the audience can really get useful information or knowledge from the workplace reality show.

References

Biressi A and Nunn H (2005) Reality TV: Realism and revelation. Columbia University Press.
Freud S and Strachey J (1949) An outline of psychoanalysis. New York: W.W. Norton.
Han F (2013) Research on TV Workplace Programs in China. Thesis, Henan University. (Chinese)
Hill A (2005) Reality TV: Audiences and popular factual television. The Taylor & Francis e-Library press, 2005.
Huang L. (2012). Research on the characteristics of reality TV shows in the workplace. News lovers, 000(008), 4-6. (Chinese)
Kavka M (2012) Reality TV. Edinburgh University Press Ltd.
Liang YF (2017). An Analysis of the Social Influence of TV Reality Shows. News Research, 2017(6), pp. 58-60. (Chinese)
Liu JL (2005) Psychology for mass communication. Communication University of China Press. (Chinese)
Lu ZP (2011) Research for the phenomenon of Job-seeking TV reality show of Mainland China. Doctoral dissertation, Hunan University. (Chinese)
Luo JJ (2017) History of Chinese TV Reality Show. China Radio, Film and Television. (Chinese)
McQuail D (1997) Audience analysis. SAGE Publications.
Papacharissi Z and Mendelson A (2007) An Exploratory Study of Reality Appeal: Uses and Gratifications of Reality TV Shows. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 51(2), pp.355-370.
Reiss S and Wiltz J (2009) Why people watch reality TV? Media Psychology, 6(4), pp.363-378.
Sender K (2012) The Makeover: Reality Television and Reflexive Audiences. New York university press.
Turner JH (2007) Human emotions: a sociological theory. The Taylor & Francis e-Library press.

Preliminary scope of work

In the development of reality shows in China in recent years, workplace-related reality shows have become increasingly popular. The content of this type of reality show also has become more affluent; it is no longer a single public job-hunting category, but also the content of exploring the relationship between leaders and employees, and observing the work-life of other industries. In general, workplace programs include four elements: host, employee, boss, and psychologist. The model of this type of reality show has two spaces. One is in the workplace showing the employees’ work life, and the other is in a studio where celebrities who are bystanders need to observe employees’ work-life and work performance to comment, discuss and guess the final ranking of employees. This type of reality show is documentary, dramatic, gameplay, and participatory. Moreover, most of the professions selected for these shows are closely related to daily life but are unusual, for example: lawyers, celebrity agents, and medical workers.
The development time for this kind of program in China is relatively short. Therefore, there is little related research. My thesis will analyze the impact of workplace reality shows on the audience, such as: if it will make the audience feel anxious, or if the audience can gain knowledge from this kind of show. On one hand, we can trace the audience's influence on the development of workplace variety shows. On the other hand, the industry can discover the shortcomings of such programs, provide new ideas for future growth, and meet the audience's needs.