Logiche di accountability e riforme del sistema universitario. Una discussione e una proposta

The intense reform process that invests the Italian higher education and scientific research
system is hereby considered in the light of the concept of accountability. Within that
framework, the paper addresses the definition of accountability along with the associated
principles of transparency, responsibility and responsiveness. The different logics and forms
of accountability are thereafter discussed by highlighting the difficulties which arise with
respect to the necessary link between accountability rhetoric and organizational models.
The author argues that the present situation of widespread discomfort within Italian
universities is related to the disconnection between prevailing types of accountability and
sense of the reform process.
The paper ends by proposing the concept of social accountability as a possible way to be
explored in order to overcome the difficulties highlighted in the previous paragraphs. The
principle is briefly presented. Some considerations are introduced as to its potentials but also
as to some possible limitations.