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  • December 2003 (Revised March 2005)
  • Background Note
  • HBS Case Collection

Who is a Professional?

By: Ashish Nanda
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:9
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Abstract

Many occupations lay claim to professional status. Business executives, social workers, musicians, sportsmen, and academics describe their occupations as "professions". Office assistants call themselves "administrative professionals". Obviously, not all occupations that claim to be professions are so recognized by society. Society attaches the professional label only to certain occupations. Doctors and lawyers are professionals; auto mechanics and restaurant wait staff are not. Yet, gray areas exist. Are nurses professionals? Teachers? Real estate brokers? This case identifies the distinguishing characteristics of professional work. Professionals are a subcategory of service providers. An understanding of what distinguishes professionals from other service providers must be grounded in an understanding of 1.) what constitutes service provisions and 2.) how the various categories of service provision differ.

Keywords

Status And Position; Jobs And Positions; Service Industry

Citation

Nanda, Ashish. "Who is a Professional?" Harvard Business School Background Note 904-047, December 2003. (Revised March 2005.)
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About The Author

Ashish Nanda

Strategy
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