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Archaeology of a Quantification Device: Quantification, Policies and Politics in French Higher Education

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  • Corine Eyraud

    (LEST - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie du Travail - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This paper follows a quantification device – French higher education performance indicators – from its birth through its construction to its uses. It differentiates three levels of analysis. First, the bedrock level: a calculative device is grounded in a founding vision. Second, the intermediate level: a quantification device contains a conception of the "raisons d'être" of the entity that is quantified. Third, the level of the micro-conventions of calculation which can give a particular orientation. However, the device is part of a larger configuration which constitutes the fourth dimension of our analytical grid. Levels and context are the fruit of socio-historical processes which can, but must not, lead to maximum coherence. Here, the device is not a very integrated assemblage, which explains its limited effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Corine Eyraud, 2022. "Archaeology of a Quantification Device: Quantification, Policies and Politics in French Higher Education," Post-Print halshs-03507720, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-03507720
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-78201-6_9
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-03507720
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miller, Peter, 1990. "On the interrelations between accounting and the state," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 315-338.
    2. Florence Jany-Catrice & Béatrice Touchelay, 2016. "Evaluating public policies or measuring the performance of public services?," Post-Print hal-03522787, HAL.
    3. Corine Eyraud, 2020. "Université française : mort sur ordonnance ?," Post-Print halshs-03226586, HAL.
    4. Kurunmaki, Liisa & Mennicken, Andrea & Miller, Peter, 2016. "Quantifying, economising, and marketising: democratising the social sphere?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 67549, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    5. Corine Eyraud, 2016. "Quantification Devices and Political or Social Philosophy. Thoughts Inspired by the French State Accounting Reform," Post-Print halshs-01432070, HAL.
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