Professional Role Identity Research Articles

Digitalt fotografi

Digital photography: technical and visual innovations, perspectives and social networksThis article analyses the diffusion of digital cameras and other digital imaging techniques among professional photographers. It is based on interviews with photographers and others in the image industry and a survey conducted in the spring of 1999. Digital cameras have diffused more slowly than expected, whereas other types of digital image techniques are widely used. The article focuses this difference, and analyses obstacles to the diffusion of digital cameras. First, the competition between new and old image technologies is discussed briefly. The photographic production chain is analysed next. It is found that techniques used in core activities in photography diffuse slowly, but techniques used in peripheral activities diffuse more easily. This leads to a discussion of prevalent perspectives on photography among its practitioners. It is concluded that a visual innovation dynamic prevails whereas technical innovations are less important for the competition among photographers. Lastly, contact networks among photographers are analysed and it is shown that digital camera users interact much more with each other than would be expected on the assumption of randomness. It is concluded that in this case, diffusion depends on 1) which parts of the production chain are affected and how central they are for professional role identities; 2) the social construction of the relation between technical and visual innovations and 3) whether users are able to communicate among themselves and with others about the concrete problems and possibilities of digital image technologies.

Incorporating political socialization theory into baccalaureate nursing education

Political socialization theory explains how an individual develops a political belief system. As the health care system undergoes dramatic changes, nursing faculty should use political socialization theory to enhance the education of student nurses. A political thread can be woven through the nursing curricula, and students can be socialized to the political role. The new generation of nurses must incorporate a political component into their professional role identity. Political socialization theory can guide nursing faculty as knowledge of the political system and political skills are incorporated into nursing curricula.

Professional Role Identity and Variations in the Descriptive Profile and Organizational Attitudes of National Council on Family Relations Members

In Spring 1991, the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) conducted a membership survey. Based on these data and framed through a symbolic interaction perspective, this article explores variations in the demographic profile and organizational attitudes of three professional role identity groups that are specified in the NCFR mission statement: educators, researchers, and practitioners. The results demonstrate wide variation in the profile and attitudes of these three groups. In the context of an increasingly competitive marketplace of professional associations and high tumover rates among members in NCFR, it is concluded that professional role diversity involves both opportunities and challenges for NCFR, and represents a possible integrative and unifying theme for the organization. Professional associations, like the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), are formed by individuals to accomplish certain educational, training, and professional objectives best met by collective action. The ultimate success of any voluntary group or organization depends upon achieving several interrelated tasks (Schein, 1985). First, it must develop a sense of mission that is shared by its members. Second, it must derive a set of objectives that are logically derived from this mission, and develop a working consensus among members about these objectives and their importance. Third, it must develop agreement among its members about the mechanisms and strategies for achieving its objectives, and devise procedures for monitoring and evaluating the success of the organization in achieving them. Fourth, it must maintain a high level of system integration and member morale to fulfill its mission, to achieve its objectives, and to sustain itself over time.

Military Professionalism: Changes in the Australian Defence Force

Significant changes in the technology and organization of war have caused commensurate changes in the structure of the military organization. One of the major results concerns the combat-oriented image of the military role, which corresponds less and less to what officers actually do. Increasingly, many middle-level and senior appointments in Western military forces are located in central departments of defense. This article suggests that such professional role change should be accompanied by a change in professional identity; this proposition was tested in a survey of officers in the Australian Defence Force. Data were gathered from some 1,400 regular officers in the navy, army, and air force by mailed questionnaire and interview. The results show that many officers not only react negatively to service in the Australian Department of Defence but also feel less competent in their jobs there, as well as less adequately prepared for them, when compared with officers serving elsewhere in the ADF. These findings are taken as evidence of a failure in the military profession to adapt professional role identities to changed circumstances. Implications for these findings are discussed.

Professional socialization: implications for occupational therapy education.

This article examines the implications that adult socialization theory can have on occupational therapy education. Sociological literature about professional socialization is reviewed and related to the preparation of occupational therapists. The discussion includes a description of the goals, processes, and participants in professional socialization. Consistency of socializing influences is presented as a critical factor in the formation of strong professional role identities. Finally, the article considers which values and attitudes may be transmitted during the socialization process for occupational therapists and other health professionals.

The child care professional: An agenda for professional role identity for employment and mobility in today's service structure

The child care professional: An agenda for professional role identity for employment and mobility in today's service structure