The Conditions and Values of Professional Occupations: A Study of the Swedish Professional Complex 1996-2010

In 1996, a comprehensive comparative survey, involving 15 Swedish professions – the so-called Gohenburg study - was conducted. The present project follows up the Gothenburg study with a new survey to 8500 individuals, aiming to map out and analyze changes in the classic professional stratum as well as broadening the area of study by including occupations currently seeking professional status, such as pre-school teachers, designers, police, and more.The project involves 18 older and newer professions, their conditions at the labor market, their identities and world-views. The study will contribute to international research by presenting empirical evidence for illuminating and explaining issues that has attracted much attention such as:

1. the significance of professionalism as an occupational value system;
2. the position of various professions in organizations’ division of labor, e.g. issues about governance vs. autonomy; and
3. the distribution of professionals into private, public and academic sectors, with their respective ‘institutional logics’, conditions and values.

Funded by: Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (Forte)