Conceptualizing Professionalism |
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| Authors: | Jennifer Roberts Michael Dietrich |
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| Institution: | Jennifer Roberts is a lecturer in health economics in the School of Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield, U.K. Her research interests center on econometric analysis in health economics and the economics of professions. Michael Dietrich is a lecturer in economics in the Department of Economics, University of Sheffield, U.K. His research interests are the economics of professions, the economics of organization, and institutional economics. Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the University of Sheffield workshop on Professionalism and the University of Liverpool conference on Economics and Sociology. The comments of participants at both these events have improved the arguments presented here. In addition the paper has benefited from comments made by the editor of this journal. |
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| Abstract: | A bstract The main argument presented here is that economics provides a necessary but not sufficient analysis of professionalism. A sufficient analysis can only be generated by recognizing the sociological significance of professionals, and in particular the institutionalization of a professional ethic. In this way we suggest that economics needs sociology to provide an effective conceptualization of professionalism as a form of organization and as a mode of behavior. Equally, however, sociology needs economics, because while the sociological context provides an explanation of the way power is institutionalized, an economic focus is necessary to maintain a role for individual agency. These arguments are illustrated with a discussion of the historical and institutional complexities of professional organization; we look particularly at nursing and certain routinized areas of legal work and accountancy. |
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