AustLit

In 1970, Rigby Limited was a leader in Australia's publishing industry. By 1980, it had lost its dominant position. Central to the firm's demise were problematic multiple distribution arrangements and ownership struggles with British publishing houses. Complex geographical factors, the costs of a national warehousing system and ongoing cultural-commercial tensions also contributed to the firm's decline. This thesis employs oral history narratives to explore the problems inherent in Rigby's organisational culture, management policies and its role as a book distributor.