Although there are a growing number of books on professions and professionalism, they are either thematically specialized, or limited to specific sectors. In this book, prominent international scholars explore and debate the critical themes and changing nature of public professionalism, and challenge the assumptions which have previously limited the analysis of the field.

Unlike existing work in the field, this unique collection brings diverse disciplinary perspectives together, connecting fields and networks across public administration, public management, and organizational sociology and goes beyond the traditional dichotomous perspectives, emphasizing the hybridization and reconfiguration of occupational/professional/organizational logics. Where traditional research approaches have tended to divide between the theoretical and the practical, either taking highly specific focus on single sectors, or abstract overviews which ignored practical application, this book strikes a new balance. Above all, it proposes future directions for both practical organizational issues and academic research.

By challenging mainstream assumptions and approaches, this comprehensive handbook provides a unique and significant assessment of public professional work, management and organization in contemporary society.