Illegitimate Tasks in Academia: A Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Social Science Academics

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 5 Sayı: 4, 498 - 532, 31.12.2024

Nur Ayça Öztürk , Ethem Duygulu

https://doi.org/10.54733/smar.1588172

Öz

The concept of “illegitimate tasks” (ILT) refers to tasks assigned to employees that fall outside their professional role definitions and are perceived as unnecessary or unreasonable. ILT has gained attention as a stress-inducing factor affecting employees’ well-being and sense of self, distinguishing it from other occupational stress sources. This study explores how social science academics in Türkiye perceive and experience ILT, their coping mechanisms, and the individual and organizational implications. A phenomenological study was conducted with 40 academics from various levels and institutions through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Findings reveal that most participants view their profession as encompassing lecturing and research, with irrational tasks being more frequent than unnecessary ones. Research assistants and assistant professors bear the heaviest burden of such tasks. ILT causes were categorized into two groups: those related to human resource capacity and those stemming from organizational processes. ILT results in relational issues (deteriorating relationships, reduced tolerance), physiological effects (sleep problems, fatigue), psychological impacts (anger, worthlessness, depressive moods), and work-related consequences (role conflict, diminished reputation, reduced commitment). Addressing ILT requires supervisors to offer social support through clear communication, define job roles at the institutional level, and ensure fair task distribution. This study contributes to the ILT literature by examining its antecedents, effects, and mitigation strategies in academia.

Anahtar Kelimeler

illegitimate tasks (ILT), tasks out of professional norms, unnecessary tasks, unreasonable tasks, academia, phenomenology

Akademide Meşru Olmayan Görevler: Sosyal Bilimler Akademisyenlerinin Deneyimleri Üzerine Fenomenolojik Bir İnceleme

Öz

Meşru olmayan görevler (MOG) kavramı, çalışanların mesleki rol tanımlarının dışında kalan, gereksiz veya mantıksız olarak algıladıkları görevleri ifade eder. Bu kavram, son yıllarda işle ilgili stres faktörleri üzerine tartışmalarda öne çıkmıştır. Kısaca, MOG çalışanlardan mesleki sorumluluklarının dışında üstlenmeleri beklenen görevleri kapsar ve bu durum, çalışanların iyi oluşlarını etkileyen, benlik algılarına zarar verebilen bir stres faktörüdür. Bu araştırma, Türkiye’deki sosyal bilimler akademisyenlerinin MOG’a bakış açılarını, bu görevleri nasıl deneyimlediklerini, tepkilerini ve başa çıkma yollarını incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Ayrıca, bu görevlerin bireysel ve kurumsal etkileri araştırılmıştır. Büyükşehir, bölgesel, devlet ve vakıf üniversitelerinden farklı unvanlardaki 40 akademisyenle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelere dayalı fenomenolojik bir araştırma yapılmıştır. Bulgular, katılımcıların çoğunun mesleği ders verme ve araştırma olmak üzere iki boyutta gördüğünü ve mantıksız görevlerle gereksiz görevlere göre daha sık karşılaştığını göstermiştir. En ağır yük ise araştırma görevlileri ve doktor öğretim üyelerinin üzerindedir. MOG’un nedenleri insan kaynağı kapasitesi ile örgütsel süreçlere bağlanmaktadır. MOG, ilişkilerin bozulması, toleransın azalması; uyku sorunları, yorgunluk; öfke, değersizlik hissi, depresif ruh hali gibi sonuçlara yol açmaktadır. Ayrıca rol çatışması, belirsizlik, mesleki itibar kaybı ve örgütsel bağlılıkta azalma gibi işle ilgili etkileri vardır. Amirlerin sosyal destek sunması, görev tanımlarının netleştirilmesi ve adil görev dağılımı, MOG’un etkilerini azaltmada önemlidir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

meşru olmayan görevler (MOG), mesleki norm dışı görevler, gereksiz görevler, mantıksız görevler, akademi, fenomenoloji

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