THE CHANGING ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT OF PROFESSIONAL WORK

Our paper represents an attempt to stimulate continued sociological in terest in professional work. Our review suggests that understanding pr ofessional work is central to understanding larger workplace changes i n the late twentieth century. Some researchers have documented the inc reasingly diverse arrangements for the delivery of professional servic es, even as others point to a convergence of professional control arou nd accountability and cost containment issues. Claims of diverging int erests across work settings are often confounded by greater racial, ge nder, and ethnic diversity among professionals. We suggest that the st udy of professional careers provides an avenue for studying the divers ification of professionals and work settings. Future research should a lso follow changes in the prestige rankings of different organizationa l arrangements from the viewpoint of professionals, professional assoc iations, and clients. Finally we warn researchers that managerial grou ps seeking control of professional work have professional agendas of t heir own which constrain the possibilities for sweeping change.