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The Academic Game: Compliance and Resistance in Universities

Author

Listed:
  • Senia Kalfa

    (Macquarie University, Australia)

  • Adrian Wilkinson

    (Griffith University, Australia)

  • Paul J Gollan

    (University of Wollongong, Australia)

Abstract

This article draws on the sociology of Bourdieu to explore how academics respond to managerialist imperatives. Bourdieu’s metaphor of the game is applied to a case study of a regional Australian university, which underwent significant changes in 2007, the most notable being the introduction of performance appraisals. In-depth interviews (N=20) reveal evidence of symbolic violence: staff compliance with and complicity in the changes. This is evident in the way that the interviewees, mostly early career academics, chose to play the game by concentrating their efforts on increasing their capital within the new order. To further support this argument, signs of resistance to the new regime were explored. Findings show that vocal resistance was sparse with silence, neglect and exit being the more realistic options. The article concludes that it is academics’ illusio, their unwavering commitment to the game, which neutralizes resistance by pitting colleagues against each other.

Suggested Citation

  • Senia Kalfa & Adrian Wilkinson & Paul J Gollan, 2018. "The Academic Game: Compliance and Resistance in Universities," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 32(2), pages 274-291, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:32:y:2018:i:2:p:274-291
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017017695043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Clarke, Caroline & Knights, David & Jarvis, Carol, 2012. "A Labour of Love? Academics in Business Schools," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 5-15.
    2. Czarniawska, Barbara & Genell, Kristina, 2002. "Gone shopping? Universities on their way to the market," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 455-474, December.
    3. Jacquelyn Allen Collinson, 2000. "Social Science Contract Researchers in Higher Education: Perceptions of Craft Knowledge," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 14(1), pages 159-171, March.
    4. Ioana Lupu & Laura Empson, 2015. "Illusio and overwork: playing the game in the accounting field," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 28(8), pages 1310-1340, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.

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