CORPORATIST CONTROL AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AMONG PROFESSIONALS- THE CASE OF LAWYERS WORKING IN LAW FIRMS

A prevailing concern in the sociology of professions is the degree to which professional workers are committed to their employing organizati on. Corporatist organizations strive to maximize employees' commitment to the organization by enhancing employee integration, upward mobilit y, participation in decision making, and the legitimacy of the authori ty system. It is argued here that these corporatist properties act as incentives that are highly valued by professional workers and that the y should increase their organizational commitment. On the basis of a s ample of lawyers working in law firms the findings support this argume nt. The most significant variables appear to contribute to lawyers' pr ofessionalism and professional careers in that they provide a sense of collegiality, contribute to professional career opportunities within the firm, and allow for individual discretion and control.