The counter-performativity of calculative practices: Mobilising rankings of intellectual capital

This article investigates accounting as a counter-performative practice. For two years and nine months, we followed State Corporation, which participated in a ranking exercise using the Intellectual Asset Health Check launched by the Australian Federal Government in 2010. We find that sceptical empl...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Critical perspectives on accounting 2020-10, Vol.72, p.102100, Article 102100
Main Authors: Boedker, Christina, Chong, Kar-Ming, Mouritsen, Jan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Counter-performativity
Intellectual assets
Ranking
Resistance
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This article investigates accounting as a counter-performative practice. For two years and nine months, we followed State Corporation, which participated in a ranking exercise using the Intellectual Asset Health Check launched by the Australian Federal Government in 2010. We find that sceptical employees seized the opportunity made possible by the ranking system to air alternative strategies. Rather than working in a predictable or performative manner, the ranking system was taken out of the hands of management and used against them. The study contributes to extant literatures by showing how accounting can become a tool to mount and sustain resistance. The ranking system, and the ideology it represented, became counter-productive because it produced effects that were ‘counter’ or contrary to its own intent and ideals.
ISSN:1045-2354
1095-9955
DOI:10.1016/j.cpa.2019.102100