Protecting Identity and Science Practice Under Corporatisation
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Lincoln University Research Archive Compliance at Work: Protecting Identity and Science Practice under Corporatisation __________________________________________ A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University by Lesley Margaret Hunt _________________________________________ Lincoln University 2003 ii Abstract of a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of PhD Compliance at Work: Protecting Identity and Science Practice under Corporatisation by Lesley Margaret Hunt When the New Zealand Government restructured the system of the public funding of research (1990-1992) it created Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) as companies operating in a global, market-led economy. One CRI, AgResearch, responded to this environment by corporatisation and instituted a normative system of control of workers which, through strategic plans, vision and mission statements, and performance appraisal processes, encouraged workers to adhere to company goals. This thesis, reporting on an ethnographic study of this CRI, shows how most scientific workers (technical workers and scientists alike) experienced insecurity through estrangement because the contributions they wished to make were less valued both in society and in their work organisation. They were excluded from participation in both organisational and Government policy-making, and felt they did not ‘belong’ anymore. Scientists in particular were also experiencing alienation (in the Marxist sense), as they were losing autonomy over the production of their work and its end use. Scientific workers developed tactics of compliance in order to resist these experiences and ostensibly comply with organisational goals while maintaining and protecting their self-identities, and making their work meaningful. Meanwhile, to outward appearances, the work of the CRI continued. This thesis adds to the sociology of work literature by extending the understanding of the concepts of compliance and resistance in white-collar work, particularly under normative control, by developing two models of resistance. It adds to the stories of the impact on public sector workers of the restructuring of this sector in New Zealand’s recent history, and develops implications for science policy and practice. Keywords: compliance; resistance; identity; work; science practice; restructuring; corporatisation; normative control. iii Prologue This thesis aims to provide an understanding of scientists and scientific technicians and their work in a particular context and period in New Zealand’s history, and to add to the theoretical understanding of resistance in the sociology of work. The fieldwork for this research was undertaken in the years 1999 to 2000 in the Crown Research Institute (CRI), AgResearch, and as such involved the work of agricultural science researchers. That this fieldwork was carried out in this organisation was incidental, and came about through the researcher having worked there since its creation in 1992. Although the study was of AgResearch, the corporatisation of science in New Zealand and the ‘new managerialism’ more widely, has impacted on public good science and the public service across the board. To read this thesis purely as a critical examination of a single institution ‘doing’ science would be to miss the point completely. All participants in this study have been given pseudonyms when quoted except where material is available through publications. The organisation and the science groups studied were not given pseudonyms as it was felt that the nature of their work was such that it was not easy to disguise. Hence when someone is quoted in this work their science group is not given to protect confidentiality. Lesley Hunt 16 July 2003 iv Acknowledgements When I started this study I wished the consequences of it to intrude and impact as little as possible on the everyday lives of those closest to me. I felt it was a very self- indulgent pursuit at a time in my life when I should have been contributing to saving for retirement. I thank AgResearch for three years on a generous scholarship and Lincoln University for a ten month scholarship. Their contributions meant that I was not a drain on the family finances until this last year. I am grateful for the Lincoln University Human Sciences Division’s postgraduate funding system which enabled me to interview participants and go to conferences with limited personal expense. My desire not to intrude PhD work into the lives of my nearest and dearest was rather wishful thinking. I thank John for his continuing interest, support and tolerance of a partner with a PhD on her mind. He has seen me at my worst and most vulnerable in recent years and still hangs in there! I wish to express my gratitude to him for living a more restrained social life over the past few years than is his natural inclination. Tim, our eldest son, has been a great listening ear in telephone conversations to Melbourne. He has been able to reflect on his own experiences at work in organisations. Rob has welcomed me to Wellington and made me feel special. James was prepared to engage in adversarial debate without prompting. My dear friend Maureen has encouraged me to talk PhD and has been alongside me through this journey. Many special friends have provided me with hospitality and listening ears – Paul and Kate in Palmerston North, Margaret in Wellington, Carolyn and David, and Gilbert and Cushla in Dunedin, and Sue and Neil at Lake Alexandrina. Marion, Lucy, Jason, Maria, Andrew, and Wayne of the ‘tin shed’ for gave their valuable time to listen patiently to my latest inspiration. Thanks to Chrys Horn for her proof reading and subtle suggestions. I am grateful to Mum and Dad, Joyce and Graham Herbison, who somewhere along the way gave me a love of learning, a concern for others, and believed in me. I am thankful to John Hay and John Lancashire, past AgResearch general managers. It is through Lanc’s support of a woman of ‘mature years’ who was mad enough to think that she deserved an AgResearch PhD Scholarship, that this work happened at v all. John Hay acknowledged and expressed interest in my three monthly PhD reports – not a common feature of management as I describe later in this thesis! This research could not have happened without the involvement of my former colleagues in AgResearch who became participants in this study. One person in particular kept me up to date with the gossip and tales about science and its relationships with the world outside AgResearch. The technical staff in the Wool and Skin Biology Group found themselves sharing an office with a social science student doing Master’s level papers at Lincoln University. Suddenly they were expected to discuss the ideas of Foucault and other luminaries of this new world. They rose to the occasion well and I think we were all enriched. I appreciated the way in which this group in particular ‘adopted’ me, inviting me to attend special group occasions, and allowing me to follow their pursuits on the Winchmore Farm. The members of my other case study groups were generous in giving me such privileged access to their time and thoughts and I had a great time with them in my interviews. I appreciate the efforts of Viv Shortt, who I am sure often quietly smoothed the way for me, and enabled me to make the most of my time as a worker on study leave on the campus. Last but far from least, I thank my supervisors. Bob Gidlow has been a dedicated supervisor. His encouragement of me through regular meetings and his insistence on written contributions which he turned around with remarkable alacrity made me aware of how fortunate I was to be in his care. His belief and confidence in my topic when I was filled with doubts was a great support. John Fairweather, probably unknown to him, delivered me challenges at points when I needed them. First there was his doubt that I could change from a quantitative to a qualitative perspective, and I thought, “I’ll show him!” More recently he said, “This is a very good PhD. It would be an excellent PhD if you could spend another four weeks on it.” I thought, “I want excellent.” I think it was amazing the way Harvey Perkins often popped in to see Bob when I was there. He added his enthusiasm and gut feelings to my awareness that I was on to something. All of these people had a belief in me – that I could complete this task I had set myself. I dedicate this thesis to John for his love, support and courage in being with a woman who insists on ‘doing her thing’. vi Contents Abstract.......................................................................................................................ii Prologue .....................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements.................................................................................................... iv Contents ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures............................................................................................................. x Abbreviations ............................................................................................................ xi Chapter 1: Introduction ...........................................................................................