STRATEGIES FOR STAKING OUT OCCUPATIONAL TURF: AN ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL DIETETICS AND NURSE ANESTHESIA IN THE HEALTH CARE MARKETPLACE (PROFESSION, PROFESSIONAL, OCCUPATION).
Contributors: University of Illinois at Chicago.
Published: 1985
Number of pages: 320
Subjects: Sociology, General.
Description: How do occupations stake out turf in a competitive and constantly changing environment? And what does this knowledge contribute to our understanding of the sociological concept of "professionalization?" This research investigates these questions by examining how two aspiring occupational segments--nurse anesthesia and clinical dietetics--have adapted to changing environmental conditions in their efforts to assert and maintain their respective positions in the health care marketplace.

A comparative, historical research design guided the collection and analysis of data pertinent to these two segments and their major concerns. Baseline data about their competitors and their competitors' concerns were compiled as well. The data, mostly qualitative, were drawn from primary and secondary sources until theoretical saturation was reached. As a precursor to comparative analysis, the data were compiled into separate "occupational histories" for each segment--clinical dietetics and nurse anesthesia. Close, iterative comparison of the occupational history data yielded seven turf-staking strategies commonly deployed by occupations under a variety of environmental circumstances.

The analysis shows how occupations both react to and manage their environment in order to establish and maintain a market niche for themselves. They stake claims to "new" business opportunities consistent with their strengths, goals, values, and resources. No support was found for the premise that advancing knowledge/technology alone causes occupational group formation, nor that aspiring occupations differ from their higher-status counterparts in their use of status-gaining strategies. The occupations were found to stake out and legitimize claims to a certain sphere of work by developing the following strategies: (1) entering/developing markets; (2) refining/diversifying services; (3) conducting promotional campaigns; (4) asserting leadership in the public policy arena; (5) securing restrictions on competitors and/or protection/recognition for themselves; (6) horizontal integration; and (7) vertical integration. The degree of competition over turf and the balance between supply and demand for personnel within an occupation were found to have potent effects upon occupational use of strategies.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-03, Section: A, page: 0796.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO, 1985.

School code: 0799.