IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jmgtgv/v26y2022i2d10.1007_s10997-022-09627-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Academics’ perception of identity (re)construction: a value conflict created by performance orientation

Author

Listed:
  • Nino Tandilashvili

    (ISC Paris Business School)

  • Anna Tandilashvili

    (Ilia State University (Business School))

Abstract

University autonomy and performance orientation have been the central points of the French higher education modernisation reforms since the 1990s. These reforms have met with criticism and opposition from academics for introducing new values and professional norms that they argue are incompatible with the academic profession. The present research analyses the experience of French academics from three public universities of the new, performance-oriented management model. It explores academics’ perception of the effects of this evolution on their professional identity. Thirty-seven semi-structured interviews were analysed using NVivo software. The results show that the new governance model stressing managerialism with an empowered president, combined with the growing importance of performance measurement systems, has created tensions between traditional norms, values, and practices on the one hand and the objectives and culture of the emerging formal institutional structure and management on the other. The research sheds light on an important value conflict in the context of the transformation of academic identity as a result of the competitive and performance-oriented culture. This evolution has influenced (at least partially) the way academics perceive their profession and reduced the admiration they had before.

Suggested Citation

  • Nino Tandilashvili & Anna Tandilashvili, 2022. "Academics’ perception of identity (re)construction: a value conflict created by performance orientation," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 26(2), pages 389-416, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jmgtgv:v:26:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10997-022-09627-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10997-022-09627-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10997-022-09627-8
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10997-022-09627-8?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Manel Benzerafa Alilat & Patrick Gibert & Laurent Garcin & Jean-François Gueugnon, 2011. "Le management par objectifs met-il fin à l’ambiguïté dans la gestion publique ? Le cas de la LOLF," Post-Print hal-01739331, HAL.
    2. Stéphanie Chatelain-Ponroy & Stéphanie Mignot-Gérard & Christine Musselin & Samuel Sponem, 2018. "Is Commitment to Performance-based Management Compatible with Commitment to University “Publicness”? Academics’ Values in French Universities," Post-Print halshs-03627102, HAL.
    3. Mats Alvesson & Jörgen Sandberg, 2013. "Has Management Studies Lost Its Way? Ideas for More Imaginative and Innovative Research," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 128-152, January.
    4. Daniela Argento & Dorota Dobija & Giuseppe Grossi, 2020. "The disillusion of calculative practices in academia," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 17(1), pages 1-17, January.
    5. Jan van Helden & Daniela Argento, 2020. "New development: Our hate–love relationship with publication metrics," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 174-177, February.
    6. Kirsi-Mari Kallio & Tomi J. Kallio & Giuseppe Grossi, 2017. "Performance measurement in universities: ambiguities in the use of quality versus quantity in performance indicators," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(4), pages 293-300, June.
    7. Daniela Pianezzi & Hanne Nørreklit & Lino Cinquini, 2020. "Academia After Virtue? An Inquiry into the Moral Character(s) of Academics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(3), pages 571-588, December.
    8. Philippa Wells & Coral Ingley, 2019. "Governance and leadership implications for academic professionals in the era of technological disruption," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 23(1), pages 21-32, March.
    9. Giuseppe Grossi & Kirsi-Mari Kallio & Massimo Sargiacomo & Matti Skoog, 2019. "Accounting, performance management systems and accountability changes in knowledge-intensive public organizations," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 33(1), pages 256-280, June.
    10. Alessia Sammarra & Lucio Biggiero, 2001. "Identity and Identification in Industrial Districts," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 5(1), pages 61-82, March.
    11. Stéphanie Chatelain-Ponroy & Stéphanie Mignot-Gérard & Christine Musselin & Samuel Sponem, 2018. "Is Commitment to Performance based Management Compatible with Commitment to University “Publicness”? Academics’ Values in French Universities," Post-Print halshs-01575542, HAL.
    12. Andrew M. Pettigrew, 1990. "Longitudinal Field Research on Change: Theory and Practice," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 1(3), pages 267-292, August.
    13. Yves Gendron, 2008. "Constituting the Academic Performer: The Spectre of Superficiality and Stagnation in Academia," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 97-127.
    14. Lennart Nørreklit & Lisa Jack & Hanne Nørreklit, 2019. "Moving towards digital governance of university scholars: instigating a post-truth university culture," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 23(4), pages 869-899, December.
    15. Humphrey, Christopher & Gendron, Yves, 2015. "What is going on? The sustainability of accounting academia," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 47-66.
    16. Henk J. ter Bogt & Robert W. Scapens, 2012. "Performance Management in Universities: Effects of the Transition to More Quantitative Measurement Systems," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(3), pages 451-497, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Paola Ramassa & Francesco Avallone & Alberto Quagli, 2024. "Can “publishing game” pressures affect the research topic choice? A survey of European accounting researchers," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 28(2), pages 507-542, June.
    2. Francesca Manes-Rossi & Riccardo Mussari & Denita Cepiku, 2022. "Introduction to the special issue: “Performance measurement systems in universities: Threats or opportunities for governance?”," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 26(2), pages 327-335, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Paola Ramassa & Francesco Avallone & Alberto Quagli, 2024. "Can “publishing game” pressures affect the research topic choice? A survey of European accounting researchers," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 28(2), pages 507-542, June.
    2. Argento, Daniela & van Helden, Jan, 2023. "Are public sector accounting researchers going through an identity shift due to the increasing importance of journal rankings?," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    3. Tobias Johansson, 2022. "Do Evaluative Pressures and Group Identification Cultivate Competitive Orientations and Cynical Attitudes Among Academics?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 176(4), pages 761-780, April.
    4. Palea, Vera, 2015. "Journal Rankings and the Sustainability of Diversity in Accounting Research," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 201546, University of Turin.
    5. Palea, Vera, 2017. "Whither accounting research? A European view," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 59-73.
    6. Meyer, Matthias & Waldkirch, Rüdiger W. & Duscher, Irina & Just, Alexander, 2018. "Drivers of citations: An analysis of publications in “top” accounting journals," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 24-46.
    7. Zimmerman, Aleksandra B. & Fogarty, Timothy J. & Jonas, Gregory A., 2017. "Is accounting an applied discipline? An institutional theory assessment of the value of faculty accounting-related work experience in the academic labor market," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 33-47.
    8. Gendron, Yves & Rodrigue, Michelle, 2021. "On the centrality of peripheral research and the dangers of tight boundary gatekeeping," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    9. Christensen, Mark & Fahlevi, Heru & Indriani, Mirna & Syukur, Muhammad, 2024. "Deciding to be ignored: Why accounting scholars use dubious quality research outlets in a neocolonial context," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    10. Pelger, Christoph & Grottke, Markus, 2015. "What about the future of the academy? – Some remarks on the looming colonisation of doctoral education," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 117-129.
    11. Brooks, Chris & Fenton, Evelyn & Schopohl, Lisa & Walker, James, 2019. "Why does research in finance have so little impact?," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 24-52.
    12. Guénin, Henri & Gendron, Yves & Morales, Jérémy, 2024. "The diktat of concision: When accounting for words shrinks academic knowledge," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    13. Andrea Francesconi & Enrico Guarini & Francesca Magli, 2020. "Distorsioni nel sistema di accountability delle Universit?: analisi di un caso," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2020(1), pages 59-86.
    14. Gendron, Yves & Andrew, Jane & Cooper, Christine, 2022. "The perils of artificial intelligence in academic publishing," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    15. Gendron, Yves, 2018. "Beyond conventional boundaries: Corporate governance as inspiration for critical accounting research," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 1-11.
    16. Francesca Manes-Rossi & Riccardo Mussari & Denita Cepiku, 2022. "Introduction to the special issue: “Performance measurement systems in universities: Threats or opportunities for governance?”," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 26(2), pages 327-335, June.
    17. Tucker, Basil P. & Tilt, Carol A., 2019. "‘You know it when you see it’: In search of ‘the ideal’ research culture in university accounting faculties," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    18. Reilley, Jacob & Löhlein, Lukas, 2023. "Theorizing (and) the future of interdisciplinary accounting research," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    19. Humphrey, Christopher & Gendron, Yves, 2015. "What is going on? The sustainability of accounting academia," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 47-66.
    20. Marco Gatti, 2018. "The Impact of Management Accounting Research: An Analysis of the Past and a Look at the Future," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(5), pages 1-47, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:jmgtgv:v:26:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10997-022-09627-8. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.