Abstract

This paper examines the emergence of bureaucratic and surveillance-based mechanisms in the governance of university
teaching staff across developing countries. It argues that the proliferation of attendance recording systems—such as biometric
tracking, RFID-based verification, and digital monitoring platforms— reflects a profound structural shift from collegial academic
governance to managerial authoritarianism. While such systems claim to enhance accountability, they often erode intellectual
autonomy, constrain research freedom, and weaken the intrinsic motivation essential for scholarly excellence. Drawing upon
organizational theory, institutional isomorphism, and behavioral accountability frameworks, the paper analyzes how surveillanceoriented governance displaces ethical self-regulation and peer responsibility with mechanical control. The study concludes by proposing an alternative model of trust-based, outcome-oriented, and ethically informed accountability that safeguards academic freedom while maintaining institutional integrity.