Resistance to quality assurance in higher education: overcoming the challenge

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.