University management practices, accounting, gender and institutional denial

Abstract

PurposeThis paper sets out to examine the problematic gendered effects of the spread of an accounting mentality in university performance appraisal, academic awareness that accounting only ever tells part of the story notwithstanding.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on the authors' experience, and thus deploys a version of autoethnography.FindingsIt was found that universities risk being seriously compromised by this “matrix madness”, and that it also specifically disadvantages women.Originality/valueThe paper presents an examination of the intersection between knowledge, power effects, accounting, gender and academic performance management.

Perverse Audit Culture and Accountability of the Modern Public University

“…Indeed, current university management practices that draw heavily on accounting and auditing are claimed to specifically disadvantage women academics. Anderson‐Gough and Brown (, p. 96) argue that the ‘internal compass’ of women is at odds with a male‐dominated accounting and auditing mentality that demands ‘rational economic’ responses and ‘economic growth and performance measurement.’ By focusing on numbers to measure academic performance, Anderson‐Gough and Brown (, p. 99) contend that we silence other (female) voices and forget that universities (should) thrive by virtue of their multiplicity and valuing of ‘different human encounters.’…”