The changing ethos of the university: living with supercomplexity
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Date
2016
Authors
Van Niekerk, Petro
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The rationale for the article was to problematise the
dominant market ethos and corporate bureaucratic
organisation practices prevalent in universities
throughout the world and currently the cause of great
concern among many South African academics. In
response to this phenomenon, theoretical research via a
literature study was undertaken to explore new modes
of thinking through the lens of Barnett’s concept of
supercomplexity. The study highlighted the importance
of new coping strategies to deal with complex issues
in a constructive way. By accepting that conditions of
supercomplexity cannot be managed in an atomistic
and mechanical way and should rather be done by
flexible and continual mapping of existing challenges
and by foregrounding multiple contestability, I argue
that the university during times of supercomplexity
should focus on interrelationships between different
sectors of the university to re-establish mutual trust
relationships. I plead for an appropriate sense of
slowness and a focus on the academic core to enable
the institution to function more reflectively and
appropriately within an age of supercomplexity.
Description
Keywords
Market ethos, Bureaucratisation, Neoliberal managerialism, Multiplicity, Contestability, Universities and colleges
Citation
Van Niekerk, P. (2016). The changing ethos of the university: living with supercomplexity. Acta Academic, 48(1), 27-47.