A critical investigation of professionalism in quantity surveying

The research study was an investigation of the ideology of professionalism in Quantity Surveying. The premise of the study was that professionalism is an occupational power strategy used, in conjunction with the characteristics of profession, to exercise control over recruitment and client behaviour in the marketplace. The attitudinal aspects of professionalism were explored with respect to the major dimensions of belief in professional association as a major reference, self-regulation, professional autonomy, vocation and public service. the first three dimensions were considered aspects of occupational power. The study used a framework derived from historical, individual, organisational and occupational perspectives. Data were gathered by survey questionnaire from qualified quantity surveyors (N=449) who were members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or the Institute of Quantity Surveyors. The study was undertaken in 1981/82 just prior to the amalgamation of the two institutes in 1982/83. Three variable sets provided the research paradigm - individual, organisational and occupational. Achievement motivation and interpersonal variables were employed to explore the Individual perspective. Major role variables of task, degree of structuring and climate explored the organisational perspective by sector of employment and hierarchical rank. The occupational perspective was investigated using literary evidence and results from the individual and organisational levels of analysis. On the basis of these data the major finding was that quantity surveying is a highly specialised occupation, but not a profession.