T7 – Quantification

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• Numbers define what is responsible Ideology of numbers
• Quantification as neutral truth Objectivity illusion
• Only measurable aspects matter Visibility bias
• Numbers as disciplinary tools Numerical control
• Power through comparison Normalizing power
• Firms internalize norms via rankings Self-disciplining
• Defining “good” and “bad” firms Moral classification
• Creating moral hierarchy via scores Rating hierarchy
• Hiding power behind positivity Euphemization
• Making systems seem rational Legitimation
• “Helping firms improve” masks control Soft governance
• Making unlike things comparable Commensuration
• Transforming quality into quantity Quantification
• Simplifying complex information Abstraction
• Reducing uncertainty via metrics Rationalization
• Numbers create social order Cognitive control
• Measurement changes reality Performativity
• Numbers as moral authority Mechanical objectivity
• Legitimacy through appearing technical Depoliticization
• When values cannot be compared Incommensurability
• Protecting moral domains from markets Value boundary
• Rankings and categories produce truth Constructed objectivity
• Producing and communicating numbers Quantification
• Two types: marking and comparing Number categories
• Measures reshape what they measure Reactivity
• Normalization through statistics Statistical morality
• Remote control through data Audit at a distance
• Trust built on rules, not people Mechanical objectivity
• Ambiguity removed as data travels Uncertainty absorption
• Metrics appear self-evident Authority of numbers
• Numbers both reveal and conceal Dual power
• Ask: who benefits, who is silenced? Ethical questioning
• When indicators replace purpose Indicatorism
• Focusing on numbers over meaning Goal displacement
• Manipulating data to look better Gaming
• Individual stress from targets Performance pressure
• Short-term focus replaces mission Organizational cost
• Societal complexity hidden by metrics Reductionism
• Indicators should start dialogue Conversational use
• Combine metrics with stories Mixed evaluation
• Add qualitative context Narrative balance
• Measure what matters, not what’s easy Purpose alignment

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