Quality as Discourse: An Analysis of Eexternal Audit Reports in Sweden 1995–1998

Abstract

During the period 1995–1998, all Swedish higher educationinstitutions were evaluated by external audit panels in an effortto stimulate institutions to increased self-regulation and tohelp universities and colleges to improve the quality of theiractivities. Such audit procedures have, however, raised thequestion as to what extent higher education institutions maybecome more homogenous and standardised at the expense ofinstitutional diversity and uniqueness. The article addressesthis question by analysing the recommendations and prescriptionsfor organisational change given in the external reports publishedin the period 1995–1998. The study shows that the audit groups havea relatively consensual opinion about `problem areas' in Swedishhigher education institutions. However, it is not given thatrecommendations and preconceptions about how institutions shouldchange as a consequence will lead to an increased institutionalstandardisation.