Active representation and identity taxation: unintended outcome of representative labour?

Abstract

Drawing on the theory of representative bureaucracy, which shows that minority bureaucrats will actively represent the interests of minorities from the same socio-demographic group, we argue that institutions could use active representation for institutional performative goals through identity taxation resulting in an unintended outcome of representative labour. We contribute a novel conceptual model of representative labour, enhancing the understanding of the individual–organizational interface, through research involving 35 interviews with academics and professionals, who have a role in addressing gender inequality in British and Irish higher educational institutions through an equality charter award scheme, namely Athena SWAN.