Relations between Professions and Organizations: More Fully Considering the Role of the Client

Abstract

In much of the literature exploring the relations between professions and organizations, the relationship tends to be depicted as, or otherwise assumed to be in opposition. What this depiction conceals is a more complex and sometimes symbiotic relationship that can exist between professions and organizations. Still lacking in this more nuanced perspective, however, is an explicit acknowledgement of the influential role that clients of professions and organizations play in this relationship. In this paper we make the case for a more explicit and dynamic conceptualisation of the relationship between professions, organizations and clients based on a review of the classic and contemporary literature. Part of our goal is to more adequately address the inter-relationship between professionals and organizations by unpacking organizations, by highlighting the unique position of professions within organizations, and the different influences that clients can have on the orientation of professions within organizations.