Abstract
This paper traces the main lines of evolution of the organization of
professional work. The argument is illustrated with material on the case of
doctors and hospitals. Market and hierarchy principles have become progressively
more salient in professional work; but we argue that in parallel, the community
principle has been growing more influential too. Building on Adler and Heckscher
(2006), we further argue that professional community is mutating from a
Gemeinschaft, craft guild form, via Gesellschaft forms, towards a new,
"collaborative" form. This evolution, however, is a difficult one, and the
outcome is uncertain. We identify some implications for future research.
Reference:
Adler, P.S., and C. Heckscher (2006) "Towards collaborative community," in C.
Heckscher and P.S. Adler (eds.), The Firm as a Collaborative Community:
Reconstructing Trust in the Knowledge Economy. Oxford/New York: Oxford
University Press. Info at:
http://www.us.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Business/Management/OrganizationalBehavior/?view=usa&ci=9780199286034