Abstract :
The aim of this paper is to summarize literature relevant to the professional organization and
to present a contemporary analysis of the archetype concept in this field. In order to
understand recent and ongoing changes in professional organizations, the paper begins
with a review of how the professional archetype evolved from the 1960s to 1990. Then, with
examples from contemporary accounting, health care and law organizations, it considers the
processes by which an institutionalized archetype can change. Forces for change – such as
deregulation, competition, technology and globalization – can challenge the interpretive
scheme and eventually delegitimize the existing archetype. At the same time, significant
environmental changes can override isomorphic pressures and de-institutionalize the longaccepted
structures. Thus we herald the emergence a new professional archetype – or
perhaps several competing archetypes. Finally, the paper reviews the evolving field of
professional organization as a whole, and understands the extant archetypes. A typology
of professional organizations is proposed that currently seems to have three clusters of
organizations – possibly three competing archetypes – namely, the traditional professional
partnership, the specialized ‘Star’ form and the corporate global professional network, or GPN.
