Professions and professionalism have played an integral part in business and society. In this book, Mike Saks provides a thorough overview of this field through an analysis of a range of professions, including, amongst others, accountants, doctors and lawyers.

The book offers a critical analysis of such privileged occupational groups in modern societies. Anticipating a positive if changing role for such groups in the years ahead, the book outlines conflicting theoretical perspectives on professions and discusses current developments in an accessible, multi-disciplinary style. The book documents their evolution and contemporary transformation from medieval guilds to fully-fledged professions and international professional service firms, while pointing a path towards their future in the world of work and beyond.

With insights into the recent challenges provided by clients, citizens, the state and corporations in neo-liberal societies, Professions provides a concise overview that will be essential reading for students, academics and others interested in the operation of these key occupational groups in business and society.

Mike Saks is Emeritus Professor at the University of Suffolk, UK, and Visiting Professor at the University of Lincoln, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, University of Westminster, UK, and University of Toronto, Canada.

1. Introduction: The context to the analysis of professions 2. The history of professions and professionalisation 3. Competing theories of professions 4. Attacks on professions: Professional deconstruction? 5. Business and management issues and the professions 6. Conclusion: The future of professions