Abstract:
Contemporary quality assurance (QA) practices represent neoliberal
managerialism in higher education institutions (HEIs). Staff resistance to
managerialism in HEIs is well documented. This paper uses a qualitative
approach to explore pragmatic ways of overcoming resistance to QA. The
paper outlines the reasons for resistance to QA based on the historical
context of academic freedom and self-governance as cornerstones of a
university. A typology of discursive and behavioural forms of resistance is
provided in order to enable IQA practitioners to identify overt and covert
modes of resistance. Diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory is used to outline
attributes of QA that can be used to enhance its adoption. The attributes
considered are compatibility, relative advantage, observability, complexity
and trialability (CROCT). Structural and systemic decentralisation of QA
mechanisms are suggested as critical factors for adoption of QA. It is
concluded that resistance to QA can be minimised by leveraging its
CROCT attributes for higher education.
