Models tracking the process of professionalization were also developed, which
identified steps in the process. 4 At an early stage the practitioners come from
other occupations, but gradually a separate, full time work group develops.
A training school for new practitioners is established, sometimes beginning
independently but always eventually seeking contact with universities in order
to develop standards terms of study, academic degrees and research programmes.
A professional association is formed, to discuss and define professional tasks,
regulate the quality of recruits and their entry into the profession and, often,
change the name of the occupation. Political engagement to seek legislative
protection and certification of practitioners grows. A code of ethics develops, to
embody rules about behaviour, competition and the protection of clients. States
of professions were identified as 'established professions' (eg law, medicine),
'professions in process' or borderline professions (which included librarianship),
'new professions' (eg information technology professionals) and 'doubtful
professions' (eg public relations). Occupational groups increasingly combined
professional and bureaucratic models in new modes of work.
Three phases in the development of a profession have been outlined.5 In phase 1
(potential) the occupation develops an essential, exclusive and complex activity
and engages in image building. In phase 2, (formation) the profession receives
public acceptance and autonomy. True professions are totally autonomous (such
as barristers): semi-professions may depend on an employer and are exercised
within an organisational context (such as university professors). In phase 3,
(stabilization) the profession settles into a pattern of autonomy.
Using these models to analyse the archives and records management profession
at the beginning of the 21st century, it can be argued that it is an emerging
profession or a 'profession in process', still developing, but not yet fully
established.
An analytical framework
In order to explore this story, this chapter adopts an analytical framework
which was developed for the author's study of the archives and records
profession in England. The framework focuses on four key themes. The first is
political engagement and the enactment of legislation. What should the role of
government be in the provision of and policy concerning archives and records
services? In many European countries archival legislation began to be enacted
in the 19th century, such as the UK's Public Record Office Act 1838. What is the
legislative provision for archives and records in different countries and why does
PROFESSIE
4 Wilensky: 142-146.
5 Patrick B Forsyth Thomas J Danisiewicz 'Toward a theory of professionalization' Work and Occupations
12 (1985): 59-76.
6 M Duchein, 'The history of European archives and the development of the archival profession in Europe',
American Archivist, 55 (1992): 14-25. P Horsman, E Ketelaar T Thomassen, 'New respect for the old
order: the context of the Dutch Manual', American Archivist, 66 (2003): 249-270.
7 Richard Cox, 'American archival history: its development, needs and opportunities', American Archivist, 46
(1983): 31-41; 'The failure or future of American archival history: a somewhat unorthodox view', Libraries
and Culture, 35:1 (2000): 141-154; and 'Bibliographic essay' in JM O'Toole and RJ Cox, Understanding
Archives and Manuscripts (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2006). LJ Gilliland-Swetland, 'The
provenance of a profession: the permanence of the public archives and historical manuscripts traditions in
American archival history', American Archivist, 54 (1991): 160-175.
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