From Ivory Towers to Corporate Ladders: The Impact of Managerialism on Academic Profession

This paper critically examines the ramifications of managerialism on the academic profession within Chinese higher education, with a focus on the erosion of traditional academic values and structures. Through an in-depth literature review, it identifies three primary areas of concern: the crisis in academic identity, the reduction of professional autonomy, and the increasing alienation within academic work. The study reveals how the infusion of market dynamics and management practices into the educational sphere, a strategy aimed at enhancing efficiency and economy, fundamentally challenges the essence of academic work. It highlights a significant shift from collegial to corporatized governance, resulting in the commodification of academic labor and a departure from the tenure system towards more precarious employment models. Furthermore, the paper discusses the conflicting pressures faced by academics, who must navigate between professional commitments and managerial expectations, often at the expense of their scholarly pursuits and well-being. The findings underscore a deepening sense of insecurity among academics, as managerialist policies prompt a reevaluation of personal and collective academic identities. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the impact of neoliberal policies on higher education, calling for a reassessment of managerialism's role in shaping academic careers and the future of scholarly work.