Abstract
Drawing on the case of business school rankings, we study how institutions are
maintained and remain persistent despite their contested nature. We argue that rankings as institutions can be maintained through subtle disciplinary practices that freeze power relations in recipient organizations. Our analysis rests on a Foucauldian understanding of control emphasizing that rankings discipline (1) by enhancing the visibility of individuals’ performance, (2) by defining ‘normal’ behavior, and (3) by shaping how people understand themselves and the world around them. We show that these three disciplining effects support rankings’ durability, reproducibility, and communicability enhancing their overall stability and diffusion. Our arguments demonstrate that rankings’ relevance and impact is not entirely based on the legitimacy they are able to offer to ranked schools. Rather rankings impel a variety of disciplinary effects within business schools which help to stabilize and diffuse the institution.
maintained and remain persistent despite their contested nature. We argue that rankings as institutions can be maintained through subtle disciplinary practices that freeze power relations in recipient organizations. Our analysis rests on a Foucauldian understanding of control emphasizing that rankings discipline (1) by enhancing the visibility of individuals’ performance, (2) by defining ‘normal’ behavior, and (3) by shaping how people understand themselves and the world around them. We show that these three disciplining effects support rankings’ durability, reproducibility, and communicability enhancing their overall stability and diffusion. Our arguments demonstrate that rankings’ relevance and impact is not entirely based on the legitimacy they are able to offer to ranked schools. Rather rankings impel a variety of disciplinary effects within business schools which help to stabilize and diffuse the institution.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 2012 |
| Number of pages | 35 |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
| Event | EFMD Higher Education Research Conference: Conjectures and Future Directions - The Lorange Institute of Business , Zurich, Switzerland Duration: 14 Feb 2012 → 15 Feb 2012 http://www.efmd.org/events/event/72-efmd-higher-education-research-conference |
Conference
| Conference | EFMD Higher Education Research Conference |
|---|---|
| Location | The Lorange Institute of Business |
| Country/Territory | Switzerland |
| City | Zurich |
| Period | 14/02/2012 → 15/02/2012 |
| Internet address |