Grey selves: Identity work of academics caught between the ‘white’ traditional higher education values and the ‘black’ corporatization forces

Abstract: The purpose of the research was to enrich the understanding of the process of corporatization of higher education and to demonstrate the importance of studying identity work. We conducted an inductive case study research basing our methods and methodology on hermeneutics and an interpretive paradigm. We developed our argumentation on the basis of interpretive and critical theory regarding identity, identity work, insecurity and corporatization of higher education. Our main research question is: "How do academics work on their identities in the context of corporatization processes in higher education?" The case study was focused on the specific environment of academic staff in LUSEM in the context of local and global market-oriented processes influencing academia. We have identified distinct clashes between different groups of identity sources. Their interaction creates different levels of identity work intensity for academic in LUSEM. They experience relatively low level of material insecurity and higher one of symbolic insecurity. The strongest identity work trigger is the instrumentalist view on higher education.