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Human Relations, Vol. 60, No. 9, 1361-1385 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0018726707082851

Playing tick-box games: Interrelating defences in professional appraisal

Gerry McGivern

School of Management, Royal Holloway, University of London, gerry.mcgivern{at}rhul.ac.uk

Ewan Ferlie

Centre for Public Services Organizations at the School of Management, Royal Holloway, University of London, ewan.ferlie{at}rhul.ac.uk

We here examine the introduction of appraisal for senior medical professionals. Our recent qualitative field research found four main experiences of appraisal (developmental, disappointed reflection, defensive assessment and cynical dismissal of appraisal as a waste of time), which we developed into a typology. We argue many professionals `play tick-box games' to give the impression of auditable practice while continuing to practise in a traditional way. We develop existing theory on the `audit society', social defences and `mock bureaucracy' to explain interrelating defences which occur in appraisal as a reaction to the risks and conflict experienced in professional regulation.

Key Words: appraisal • audit • consultant appraisal • medical professionals • mock bureaucracy • new public management


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