Sociology Of Professions

The Sociology of Professions: Understanding the Power and Prestige of Work

Have you ever wondered why some jobs command higher salaries, greater respect, and more social influence than others? Why do doctors hold a different social standing than plumbers, or lawyers more than cashiers? The answer lies in the fascinating field of the sociology of professions. This in-depth exploration delves into the intricate social forces that shape professional identities, power structures, and the overall impact on society. We'll dissect the historical evolution of professions, examine the key characteristics that define them, and analyze the ongoing debates surrounding professional autonomy, ethical considerations, and the ever-changing landscape of work. Get ready to uncover the hidden dynamics that govern the world of work and how they impact your everyday life.

The Historical Evolution of Professions

The concept of a "profession" hasn't always existed. Historically, work was often organized around guilds or apprenticeships. However, the emergence of modern professions is closely tied to the rise of industrialization and the increasing specialization of knowledge. The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed the professionalization of fields like medicine, law, and engineering. This involved a concerted effort to establish exclusive control over knowledge and practice, often through the creation of professional associations and licensing boards. This control allowed professionals to dictate standards, regulate entry into the field, and ultimately, exert significant influence over their respective domains. The development of universities and specialized educational institutions further solidified the professionalization process, creating a system of credentialing and legitimizing professional expertise. Examining this historical trajectory reveals the strategic actions taken by professional groups to secure their social and economic positions.

Defining Characteristics of Professions

What precisely constitutes a profession? Sociologists have identified several key characteristics that distinguish professions from other types of occupations. These include:

Specialized Knowledge: Professions require extensive training and the mastery of a specialized body of knowledge. This knowledge is often esoteric and inaccessible to outsiders.
Autonomy: Professionals typically enjoy a significant degree of autonomy in their work, making independent judgments and decisions with minimal external oversight.
Self-Regulation: Professions often regulate themselves through professional associations, establishing ethical codes, enforcing standards, and disciplining members who violate those standards.
Altruism: While often debated, a strong element of altruism is often associated with professions. The idea that professionals primarily serve the public good, even if their work is also financially rewarding, is a central part of their self-image.
Authority and Prestige: Professions generally command high levels of social prestige and authority, often influencing public policy and societal norms.

It's important to note that not all occupations that claim professional status fully embody all these characteristics. The application of these criteria often sparks debate and highlights the ongoing struggle for professional recognition and status in various fields.

Power Dynamics and Professional Domination

The sociology of professions also examines the power dynamics inherent in professional work. The control over knowledge, resources, and the ability to define legitimate practice often translates into significant social and economic power. This power can be exercised in various ways, from influencing public policy to shaping public perceptions of health, law, or other professional domains. This power, however, is not without its critics. Concerns around professional dominance, elitism, and the potential for exploitation are recurring themes in the sociological analysis of professions. The examination of how professionals interact with their clients, patients, and the wider community is crucial in understanding the societal implications of professional power.

The Changing Landscape of Professions

The modern world is witnessing a significant transformation in the nature of professions. Globalization, technological advancements, and the rise of the gig economy are challenging traditional professional models. The increasing reliance on technology is altering the skills and knowledge required for many professions, leading to debates about the future of professional work and the need for continuous professional development. Furthermore, the increasing diversity within professional fields necessitates a critical examination of issues like equity, inclusion, and access to professional opportunities for individuals from marginalized backgrounds.

Ethical Considerations and Professional Responsibility

Ethical considerations are central to the sociology of professions. Professional codes of conduct aim to guide the behavior of professionals, emphasizing integrity, honesty, and a commitment to public service. However, ethical dilemmas are inevitable, and the analysis of these dilemmas highlights the complex interplay between professional obligations, personal interests, and societal expectations. The ongoing debate around issues such as conflicts of interest, whistleblowing, and the societal responsibility of professionals is a crucial aspect of understanding the ethical dimensions of professional work.

Ebook Outline: "The Sociology of Professions: Power, Prestige, and the Changing World of Work"

Author: Dr. Emily Carter, PhD (Sociology)


Outline:

Introduction: Defining the field, outlining the book's scope and objectives.
Chapter 1: Historical Development of Professions: Tracing the evolution of professions from guilds to modern organizations.
Chapter 2: Characteristics of Professions: Analyzing the key attributes that define professional occupations.
Chapter 3: Power and Domination: Examining power dynamics within professions and their societal impact.
Chapter 4: Professionalization and Social Closure: Discussing strategies employed by professions to maintain their status.
Chapter 5: The Changing Landscape of Work: Addressing the challenges to traditional professions in the modern era.
Chapter 6: Ethics and Professional Responsibility: Exploring ethical dilemmas and professional codes of conduct.
Chapter 7: Professions and Social Inequality: Examining how professions contribute to or mitigate social inequalities.
Chapter 8: The Future of Professions: Speculating on the evolving nature of professional work in the 21st century.
Conclusion: Summarizing key findings and highlighting future directions in the sociology of professions.

Detailed Explanation of Outline Points:

(Each point below would be expanded upon in a full chapter of the ebook. This is a sample of the depth and detail that would be included.)

Chapter 1: Historical Development of Professions: This chapter will explore the evolution of professions from medieval guilds to modern professional associations. It will trace the historical context, examining key transitions, such as the rise of universities and the impact of industrialization, and how these factors shaped the development of professional identities and structures. Examples of specific professions and their historical trajectories will be provided.

Chapter 2: Characteristics of Professions: This chapter will delve into the defining characteristics of professions, such as specialized knowledge, autonomy, self-regulation, altruism, and prestige. It will explore the various theoretical perspectives on professionalization, comparing and contrasting different approaches. The chapter will also examine the challenges in applying these characteristics consistently across various occupations and professions.

Chapter 3: Power and Domination: This chapter will analyze the power dynamics inherent in professional work. It will examine how professional organizations wield influence, exploring concepts such as professional dominance, social closure, and the control over resources. This section will discuss the potential for exploitation and ethical concerns that may arise from professional power imbalances.

Chapter 4: Professionalization and Social Closure: This chapter will explore the strategies used by various professional groups to maintain their high status and exclusivity. The concept of social closure, where professions limit access to their ranks, will be examined in detail. The chapter will analyze the historical and contemporary methods utilized to control entry into specific professions.

Chapter 5: The Changing Landscape of Work: This chapter will discuss the challenges and transformations impacting professions in the modern era, including globalization, technological advancements, and the gig economy. It will analyze how these forces affect professional identity, work structures, and the skills needed for successful professional careers.

Chapter 6: Ethics and Professional Responsibility: This chapter will delve into the ethical considerations central to professional work. It will explore professional codes of conduct, ethical dilemmas, and the tension between professional obligations and personal interests. Case studies will be used to illustrate the complexities of ethical decision-making in various professional contexts.

Chapter 7: Professions and Social Inequality: This chapter will investigate the role of professions in perpetuating or mitigating social inequalities. It will explore how access to professional occupations is often influenced by factors such as race, gender, class, and socioeconomic background. The chapter will discuss strategies to promote equity and inclusion within professional fields.

Chapter 8: The Future of Professions: This chapter will explore the future of professional work in the 21st century. It will discuss emerging trends, technological disruptions, and the need for continuous professional development. The chapter will analyze the potential impact of artificial intelligence and automation on various professions.

Conclusion: This section will summarize the key findings of the book and reflect on the major themes and implications discussed. It will highlight the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of professions and the need for ongoing sociological investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a profession and an occupation? A profession is typically characterized by specialized knowledge, autonomy, self-regulation, and a commitment to altruism, distinguishing it from a broader occupation.

2. How do professions maintain their power and prestige? Through control over knowledge, resources, credentialing, and self-regulation.

3. What are some ethical dilemmas faced by professionals? Conflicts of interest, whistleblowing, and balancing client needs with personal beliefs.

4. How has technology impacted professions? It has both created new opportunities and challenges, requiring adaptation and continuous learning.

5. What is the role of professional associations? They establish standards, regulate members, and advocate for the profession's interests.

6. How can social inequalities be addressed within professions? Through promoting diversity, equitable access to education and training, and inclusive workplace cultures.

7. What is social closure in the context of professions? It refers to strategies used by professions to limit access to their ranks, maintaining exclusivity.

8. What is the future of professional work? It is likely to be shaped by technological advancements, globalization, and evolving societal needs.

9. How does the sociology of professions contribute to our understanding of society? It illuminates power structures, social inequalities, and the dynamics of professional work's influence on society.

Related Articles:

1. Professional Ethics and the Public Good: Explores the ethical responsibilities of professionals and their impact on society.
2. The Gendered Nature of Professions: Examines how gender shapes access to and experiences within various professions.
3. The Impact of Globalization on Professional Work: Analyzes the effects of globalization on professional identities and practices.
4. Technological Disruption and the Future of Professions: Discusses how technology is reshaping the professional landscape.
5. Professional Associations and Self-Regulation: Explores the role of professional associations in maintaining standards and ethical conduct.
6. The Sociology of Medicine: A Case Study: Focuses on the specific sociological aspects of the medical profession.
7. The Legal Profession and Social Justice: Examines the relationship between the legal profession and societal equity.
8. The Rise of the Gig Economy and its Impact on Professional Work: Analyzes how the gig economy challenges traditional professional models.
9. Professional Identity Formation: A Sociological Perspective: Explores how professional identities are shaped and maintained.


  sociology of professions: The Sociology of the Professions Keith M Macdonald, 1995-09-26 This much-needed book provides a systematic introduction, both conceptual and applied, to the sociology of the professions. Keith Macdonald guides the reader through the chief sociological approaches to the professions, addressing their strengths and weaknesses. The discussion is richly illustrated by examples from and comparisons between the professions in Britain, the United States and Europe, relating their development to their cultural context. The social exclusivity that professions aim for is discussed in relation to social stratification, patriarchy and knowledge, and is thoroughly illustrated by reference to examples from medicine and other established professions, such as law and architecture. The themes of the book are drawn together in a final chapter by means of a case study of accountancy.
  sociology of professions: The Sociology of the Professions Philip Elliott, 2013-12-31
  sociology of professions: The Sociology of the Professions Robert Dingwall, P. S. C. Lewis, 1983
  sociology of professions: Professions and Power (Routledge Revivals) Terence J. Johnson, 2016-06-17 First published in 1972, this book rejects as inadequate the ‘trait’ and ‘functionalist’ theories of the professions and instead presents an alternative framework to analyse the contemporaneous occupational change in industrial societies. The author describes how occupational specialisation creates varying degrees of social distance between producers and consumers of goods or services, thus several institutions of control social have developed — collegiate, corporate or oligarchic patronage, mediative. The author looks at the social conditions necessary for the development of these methods of control and the apparent decline of professionalism in both developed and undeveloped societies.
  sociology of professions: Sociology of Occupations and Professions Ronald M. Pavalko, 1988
  sociology of professions: The Sociology of the Caring Professions Pamela Abbott, Liz Meerabeau, 1998 This text discusses the role of the caring professions and reforms in the welfare state, assessing the impact on organizational roles and relationships. It should be of value to those studying sociology, social policy, nursing and social work.
  sociology of professions: An Introduction to the Sociology of Work and Occupations Rudi Volti, 2011-10-11 The Sociology of Work and Occupations, Second Edition connects work and occupations to the key subjects of sociological inquiry: social and technological change, race, ethnicity, gender, social class, education, social networks, and modes of organization. In 15 chapters, Rudi Volti succinctly but comprehensively covers the changes in the world of work, encompassing everything from gathering and hunting to working in today′s Information Age. This book introduces students to a highly relevant analysis of society today. In this new and updated edition, globalization and technology are each given their own chapter and discussed in great depth.
  sociology of professions: The System of Professions Andrew Abbott, 2014-02-07 In The System of Professions Andrew Abbott explores central questions about the role of professions in modern life: Why should there be occupational groups controlling expert knowledge? Where and why did groups such as law and medicine achieve their power? Will professionalism spread throughout the occupational world? While most inquiries in this field study one profession at a time, Abbott here considers the system of professions as a whole. Through comparative and historical study of the professions in nineteenth- and twentieth-century England, France, and America, Abbott builds a general theory of how and why professionals evolve.
  sociology of professions: The Allied Health Professions Susan Nancarrow, Alan Borthwick, 2021-03-10 The allied health professions have gained legitimacy through the pursuit of research evidence and the standardisation of practice. Yet there remains very little analysis or understanding of these professions. Adopting theory from the sociology of health professions, this unique text explores the sociological, economic, political and philosophical pressures that have shaped the professions. Drawing on case studies and examples from occupations including optometrists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists to emerging vocations, including pedorthists and allied health assistants, this book offers an innovative comparison of allied health professions in Australia and Britain. By telling the story of their past, this original book prepares the allied health professions for a new and different future.
  sociology of professions: The Teaching Profession A. Reis Monteiro, 2014-11-03 This volume contributes to debates about the teaching profession by reviewing international and national reports on its status, as well as on reforms of various education systems. It proposes a global approach to the quality of the teaching profession as a decisive ingredient of education quality, including a conception of its identity and a vision of its future. Moreover, it is suggested that professional self-regulation may be the best way to achieve higher professional and social status for teachers, since it allows educators collectively to assume the culture of the values that comprise the uniqueness and fullness of the teaching profession.
  sociology of professions: Essays on Professions Robert Dingwall, 2016-05-13 Over the past 30 years Robert Dingwall has published an influential series of articles on the professions, especially law and medicine. This represents a substantial and coherent body of work in an important sub-discipline of sociology. This volume assembles the best of these writings in one single accessible place. The ten essays are republished in their original form, each bearing the traces of the time and place it was written. In sum, they provide a fascinating account of an academic journey. They are introduced with a foreword from the author, who places the work in context and offers some thoughts about how the work might be used by scholars in developing the field, to evaluate, for example, the effects of the New Labour period on professional autonomy. The essays will be indispensable to sociologists with a general interest in the professions and to scholars of law, medicine and business.
  sociology of professions: Sociology of Professions Lennart Svensson, Julia Evetts, 2010 This book discusses Continental and Anglo-Saxon traditions in the analysis of professionalism, professional work and its practitioners. Issues of definition and conceptualization are discussed in a frame for comparing Continental and Anglo-Saxon conditions and traditions. The approach is mainly historical in the first part about the origins and development of professions, and in the second part about contemporary alterations, legitimacy, discretionary power and internationalization. Throughout there is a major emphasis on the organizational aspects of professions and professional work.
  sociology of professions: Professions and the Public Interest Mike Saks, 2005-08-16 The importance and influence of professions in public life has grown increasingly over the twentieth century but the question of whether they subordinate their own self-interests to the public interest has yet to be adequately researched within a major sociological perspective. In Professions and the Public Interest Mike Saks develops a theoretical and methodological framework for assessing professional groups in Western society. The empirical applicability of this framework is demonstrated with particular reference to a novel case study of the response of the medical profession to acupuncture in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Professions and the Public Interest will be of great interest to all lecturers and students of social policy, sociology, and medical sociology as well as to professional groups and their members.
  sociology of professions: Professions and Patriarchy Anne Witz, 2013-01-11 This impressive and original study is one of the first books to combine mainstream sociology with feminism in exploring the subject of the professions and power. This is an important addition to the corpus of feminist scholarship... It provides fresh insights into the way in which male power has been used to limit the employment aspirations of women in the middle classes. - Rosemary Crompton, University of Kent
  sociology of professions: Professions, Work, and Careers Anselm L. Strauss, A collection of works by sociologist Anselm L. Strauss. The essays examine organization, profession, career and work, in addition to related matters such as socialization, occupational identity, social mobility, and professional relationships, all in a social psychological context.
  sociology of professions: Professions in Civil Society and the State David Sciulli, 2009 Professions are central to any political sociology of major associations, organizations and venues in civil society underpinning democracy; they are not a subset of livelihoods in a mundane sociology of work and occupations. Professions in Civil Society and the State is at once elegant and startling in its directness and the sheer scope of its implications for future comparative research and theory. Not since Talcott Parsons during the early 1970s has any sociologist (or political scientist) pursued this line of inquiry. Sciulli s theoretical approach differs fundamentally from Parsons and rests on a breadth of historical and cross-national support that always eluded him. The sociology of professions has come full circle, leaving behind Parsons, his critics, and two generations of received wisdom.
  sociology of professions: Knowledge, Expertise and the Professions Michael Young, Johan Muller, 2014-04-24 It has long been recognised that specialised knowledge is at the core of what distinguishes professions from other occupations. The privileged status of professions in most countries, however, together with their claims to autonomy and access to specialised knowledge, is being increasingly challenged both by market pressures and by new instruments of accountability and regulation. Established and emerging professions are increasingly seen as either the solution, or as sources of conservatism and resistance to change in western economies, and recent developments in professional education draw on a competence model which emphasises what newly qualified members of a profession ‘can do’ rather than what ‘they know’. This book applies the disciplines of the sociology of knowledge and epistemology to the question of professional knowledge. What is this knowledge? It goes beyond traditional debates between ‘knowing how’ and ’knowing that’, and ‘theory’ and ‘practice’. The chapters cover a wide range of issues, from discussions of the threats to the knowledge base of established professions including engineers and architects, to the fraught situations faced by occupations whose fragile knowledge base and professional status is increasingly challenged by new forms of control. While recognising that graduates seeking employment as members of a profession need to show their capabilities, the book argues for reversing the trend that blurs or collapses the skill/knowledge distinction. If professions are to have a future then specialised knowledge is going to be more important than ever before. Knowledge, Expertise and the Professions will be key reading for students, researchers and academics in the fields of professional expertise, further education, higher education, the sociology of education, and the sociology of the professions.
  sociology of professions: Social Research and the Practicing Professions Robert King Merton, 1982
  sociology of professions: Professional Powers Eliot Freidson, 1988-05-15 Freidson guides his analysis by finding what power may be ascribed to formal, codified knowledge. He focuses on the institutions that provide intellectual workers with their knowledge, a regular living, organized political resources, and other means with which to translate formal knowledge into human activity. Surveying professionals, he establishes a basic foundation for tracing the sources and means of professional power. Key issues are discussed as to whether they exercise power in the workplace, in government policy-making, and in the shaping of our physical and social world.
  sociology of professions: Reconstructing Identities in Higher Education Celia Whitchurch, 2013 First Published in 2013. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
  sociology of professions: The Sociology of the professions , 1983
  sociology of professions: Professional Dominance Eliot Freidson,
  sociology of professions: The Sociology of the Professions Philip Ross Courtney Elliott, 1972
  sociology of professions: Sociology, Work and Industry Tony Watson, 2002-09-11 First published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
  sociology of professions: Professional Men, Professional Women Maria Malatesta, 2010-12-29 Published in association with the International Sociological Association, and part of the SAGE Studies in International Sociology series, this is a detailed and critical exploration of the history of professionalization in Europe.
  sociology of professions: The Routledge Companion to the Professions and Professionalism Mike Dent, Ivy Lynn Bourgeault, Jean-Louis Denis, 2016-07-01 The Routledge Companion to the Professions and Professionalism is a state-of-the-art reference work which maps out the current developments and debates around the sociology of the professions, and how they relate to management and organizations. Supported by an international contributor team specializing in the disciplines of organizational studies and sociology, the collection provides extensive coverage of this field of research. It brings together the core concepts and issues, and has chapters on all the key aspects of professions in both the public and private sectors, including issues of governance and regulation. The volume closes with a set of international case studies which provide valuable practical insights into the subject. This Companion will be an indispensable reference source for students, scholars and educators within the social sciences, especially within management, organizational studies and sociology. It will also be highly relevant for those working and studying in the area of professional education.
  sociology of professions: Profession of Medicine Eliot Freidson, 1970 Must be judged as a landmark in medical sociology.-Norman Denzin, Journal of Health and Social BehaviorProfession of Medicine is a challenging monograph; the ideas presented are stimulating and thought provoking. . . . Given the expanding domain of what illness is and the contentions of physicians about their rights as professionals, Freidson wonders aloud whether expertise is becoming a mask for privilege and power. . . . Profession of Medicine is a landmark in the sociological analysis of the professions in modern society.-Ron Miller, Sociological QuarterlyThis is the first book that I know of to go to the root of the matter by laying open to view the fundamental nature of the professional claim, and the structure of professional institutions.-Everett C. Hughes, Science
  sociology of professions: On Work, Race, and the Sociological Imagination Everett C. Hughes, 1994-09-15 The writings in this volume highlight Hughes's contributions to the sociology of work and professions; race and ethnicity; and the central themes and methods of the discipline. Hughes was the first sociologist to pay sustained attention to occupations as a field for study and wrote frequently and searchingly about them. Several of the essays in this collection helped orient the first generation of Black sociologists, including Franklin Frazier, St. Clair Drake, and Horace Cayton.
  sociology of professions: Gender, Age and Inequality in the Professions Marta Choroszewicz, Tracey L. Adams, 2019-03-13 The literature on gender and professions shows that professional careers continue to be impacted by gender – albeit with important differences among professions and countries. Much less researched is the issue of the significance of gender and age-cohort or generation to professional work. Gender, Age and Inequality in the Professions explores men’s and women’s experiences of professional work and careers through an intersectional lens by focusing on the intersection of gender and age. The chapters explore different professions – including Medicine, Nursing, Law, Academia, Information Technology and Engineering – in different Western countries, in the present and over time. Through original research, and critical re-analysis of existing research, each of the chapters explores the significance of gender and age-cohort or generation to professional work, with particular attention to professionals just entering professional careers, those building professional careers, and comparisons of men and women in professions across generational cohorts. The book contributes to literature on inequalities in the professions by demonstrating the ways in which gender and age converge to confer privilege and produce disadvantage, and the ways in which gender inequality is reproduced, and disrupted, through the activities of professionals on the job. The book constitutes a departure point for future research in terms of theoretical perspectives and empirical findings on how gendered and age-related processes are produced and reproduced in particular organisational, professional and socio-cultural contexts. To enhance generational understanding, relationships and collaboration in educational institutions, organisations and professions, the book ends with a section on policy recommendations for educators, professionals, professional organisations as well as policy- and decision-makers. This book will also appeal to students and researchers in the fields of Sociology, Gender Studies, Organisational and Management Studies, Law, Medicine, Engineering and Information Technology as well as related disciplines.
  sociology of professions: Society and Health Richard K. Thomas, 2007-05-08 -Rick Thomas brings his 30 years experience in the field to the text making it very applied and accessible. -Lots of boxed material. -Recommended purchase for all librarians as reviewed in the June 2004 issue of CHOICE.
  sociology of professions: The Formation of Professions Michael Burrage, Rolf Torstendahl, 1990 This study stresses the centrality of the theory of professions and professionalization for analysis of the relations between occupation and knowledge, state and strategy. Contributors explore the varied appearance and behaviour of various knowledge-based groups.
  sociology of professions: Professional Emotions in Court Stina Bergman Blix, Åsa Wettergren, 2018-12-07 Professional Emotions in Court examines the paramount role of emotions in the legal professions and in the functioning of the democratic judicial system. Based on extensive interview and observation data in Sweden, the authors highlight the silenced background emotions and the tacitly habituated emotion management in the daily work at courts and prosecution offices. Following participants ‘backstage’ – whether at the office or at lunch – in order to observe preparations for and reflections on the performance in court itself, this book sheds light on the emotionality of courtroom interactions, such as professional collaboration, negotiations, and challenges, with the analysis of micro-interactions being situated in the broader structural regime of the legal system – the emotive-cognitive judicial frame – throughout. A demonstration of the false dichotomy between emotion and reason that lies behind the assumption of a judicial system that operates rationally and without emotion, Professional Emotions in Court reveals how this assumption shapes professionals’ perceptions and performance of their work, but hampers emotional reflexivity, and questions whether the judicial system might gain in legitimacy if the role of emotional processes were recognized and reflected upon.
  sociology of professions: Professions and Metaphors Andreas Liljegren, Mike Saks, 2016-07-22 Professions and Metaphors: Understanding Professions in Society explores the way that two traditions have contributed to our understanding of both theory and society over recent decades. In the first tradition, the growing literature on metaphors has helped to guide thinking, providing insights into such phenomena as the study of organizations. In the second, there has been an increased interest in professions, from lawyers and university academics to doctors and social workers. This edited collection brings together these two traditions for the first time, providing a unique and systematic overview, at macro and micro level, of the use of metaphors in the sociology of professions. A range of professional fields are explored, from law and medicine to social work and teaching, showing how metaphors can enhance our understanding of the operation of professional groups. By demonstrating how metaphors can add to our understanding of professions in society, as well as in professional practice, this ground-breaking book makes an invaluable contribution to advanced students and researchers in fields such as the sociology of professions and work and organization – as well as informing professionals and policy makers themselves.
  sociology of professions: Governing Hybrid Organisations Jan-Erik Johanson, Jarmo Vakkuri, 2017-08-17 Intuitively, organisations can easily be categorised as ‘public’ or ‘private’. However, this book questions such a black and white dichotomy between public and private, and seeks a deeper understanding of hybrid organisations. These organisations can be found at micro, meso and macro levels of societal activity, consisting of networks between companies, public agencies and other entities. The line between these two realms is increasingly blurred — giving rise to hybrid organisations. Governing Hybrid Organisations presents an engaging discussion around hybrid organisations, highlighting them as important and fascinating examples of modern institutional diversity. Chapters examine the changing landscape of service delivery and the nature and governance of hybrid organisations, using international examples and cases from different service contexts. The authors put forward a clear analytical framework for understanding hybrid governance, looking at strategy and performance management. This text will be valuable for students of public management, public administration, business management and organisational studies, and will also be illuminating for practising managers.
  sociology of professions: Professions in Theory and History Michael Burrage, 1990 The professions are currently the focus of vigorous debate within sociology and social history. This book and its companion volume (The Formation of Professions) bring together researchers from continental Europe and from the English-speaking world to highlight the contrasting perspectives of the two traditions and to emphasize what they can learn from each other. The present volume concentrates on the theory and historical development of professions. The authors identify critical problems of method and theory, such as the reliance on single-profession case studies, the separation of professions from their social and political contexts, the assumption of a uniform professional strategy, the neglect of inter-professional relations and above all the overwhelming Anglo-American bias embedded in the categories and concepts used. They then propose ways in which comparative and historical analysis might be better equipped to study the professions in a wide variety of social and political settings. The discussion encompasses the market and employment context, comparison of professions with other kinds of authority relations and other types of occupation, and exploration of historical discontinuities and variations in strategy.
  sociology of professions: The Future of the Professions Richard Susskind, Richard Süsskind, Daniel Susskind, 2022 With a new preface outlining the most recent critical developments, this updated edtion of The Future of the Professions predicts how technology will transform the work of doctors, teachers, architects, lawyers, and many others in the 21st century, and introduces the people and systems that may replace them.
  sociology of professions: Professions, Work and Careers Anselm L. Strauss, 2018-04-24 Professions, Work and Careers addresses some of the central themes that preoccupied the eminent sociologist Anselm Strauss. This collection is directed at sociologists concerned with the development of theory and graduate and undergraduate students in the sociology of work and the sociology of medicine. His approach is both thematic and topical.Straus examines organization, profession, career, and work, in addition to related matters such as socialization, occupational identity, social mobility, and professional relationships, all in a social psychological context. Because medicine is considered by many to be the prototype profession, Strauss effectively illustrates many of the points by allusion to nurses, chemists, hospitals, wards, and terminal care. The progression of ideas in these essays are a befitting source for the study of structure, interaction and process, other themes that occupied Strauss in his other research enterprises.As Irving Louis Horowitz noted at the time of Anselm Strauss's death in 1996: Anselm was and remained a social psychologist of a special sort. He appreciated that what takes place in the privacy of our minds translates into public consequences for the social fabric. His statements on personal problems are invariably followed in quick succession by intensely sociological essays on close awareness, face-to-face interaction, and structured interactions. The subtext distinguishes sociological from psychiatric conventions, seeing everything from daydreams to visions in interactionist frames rather than as pathology. The implications of his explorations into the medical profession are stated gently, but carry deep ramifications, for the act of people treating each other compassionately, not less than professionally, is also an act of awareness. Treating the human person as a creature of dignity, when generalized, becomes the basis for constructing human society.The late Anselm Strauss was a pioneer in bridging the gap between theory and data in sociology. This collection of his works, available in paperback for the first time, will be a valuable resource for professionals and students interested in grounded social theory.Anselm L. Strauss was professor of sociology and chairman of the graduate program in sociology, University of California, San Francisco. He is the author of numerous books including Creating Sociological Awareness and editor of Where Medicine Fails, both published by Transaction.
  sociology of professions: Public Sociology Dan Clawson, 2007-06-06 Publisher description
  sociology of professions: Profession of Medicine Eliot Freidson, 1988-05-15 Must be judged as a landmark in medical sociology.—Norman Denzin, Journal of Health and Social Behavior Profession of Medicine is a challenging monograph; the ideas presented are stimulating and thought provoking. . . . Given the expanding domain of what illness is and the contentions of physicians about their rights as professionals, Freidson wonders aloud whether expertise is becoming a mask for privilege and power. . . . Profession of Medicine is a landmark in the sociological analysis of the professions in modern society.—Ron Miller, Sociological Quarterly This is the first book that I know of to go to the root of the matter by laying open to view the fundamental nature of the professional claim, and the structure of professional institutions.—Everett C. Hughes, Science
  sociology of professions: An Introduction to the Sociology of Work and Occupations Rudi Volti, 2008 Connecting work and occupations to the key subjects of sociological inquiry - social and technological change, race, ethnicity, gender, social class, education, social networks, and modes of organization - An Introduction to the Sociology of Work and Occupations introduces students to highly relevant analyses of today's industrial and postindustrial society. Succinct yet comprehensive, this text provides useful analysis of a broad range of topics, covering the changes in the world of work from hunting and gathering to today's Information Age. Featuring a broad range of topics, this unique text provides crucial insight into how life and work are evolving in the 21st century. This text is valuable for upper-level undergraduate courses such as Sociology of Work and related courses in departments of sociology, organizational behavior, economics, human resource management, and organizational studies.--Jacket.