Motivating the Professoriate: Why Sticks and Carrots are only for Donkeys

Government decreases in funding to universities accompanied by increased accountability measures for both teaching and research have resulted in tertiary management structures consistent with these developments. Universities have historically relied upon the active and collegial participation of their academic staff to achieve the goals and aspirations that have driven the sector for generations. This paper utilises psychological motivation theory and research to examine developments designed by management to promote faculty productivity. We challenge the naive implementation of change strategies that do not appear to be based on theory and/or research. Strategies are proposed for monitoring such changes in policy and practice within well-established social science paradigms to ensure achievement of desired ends rather than undesirable negative effects upon the university’s capacity to fulfil its role in the creation and transmission of new knowledge...