Contemporary challenges to professionalism

Abstract

In the article professions are defined as a special form of occupations. Professionalisation of occupations occurs at the central points of the social division of labour, and on the basis of the organised endeavours of the members of certain occupations, who try to establish a monopol on the services provided by means of their expert knowledge.Professionalisation ineludes also the establishment of a special occupational status.However, current developments, such as shortening of technojogical cycles, deregulation of markets and g1obalisation decrease the stability of the occupational structure and represent numerous chal1enges to traditional professions. It is not e1ear whether professions are becoming stronger or weaker.