Doctoral thesis of Philosophy (Management): The dance of compliance: performance management in Australian universities

This qualitative study focuses on identifying the formal and informal performance management (PM) practices currently in use in Australian public universities for academic staff Levels A, B and C. It asks the following research questions: What PM practices are currently in use in these universities? What are the similarities in approach and what issues does PM raise? How do academic staff who take part in these practices (as either staff or management) experience them? What cultural and contextual factors (if any) contribute to this experience? What are the perceived effects of these practices on the performance of individuals, teams and the organisation? Which system elements do academic staff and academic managers perceive to be most effective in academic cultures and why?