Att skapa en civil ekonom: Civilekonomprogrammet som en marknadsdriven utbildning

• In this article we analyze the initial phase (2004–2006) in the establishmentof the vocational degree of ’civilekonom’ [literally: ‘civil economist’] as aprocess of professionalization. Drawing upon ideas from discourse analysis,we investigate texts produced by ’Civilekonomerna’ [the union of economicsand business graduates], ’Lagstiftaren’ [the legislature], and the expert panelof the assessment process where some universities were granted the right toissue the degree of ’civilekonom’. The study shows that the establishmentof ‘civilekonom’ as a vocational degree follows a selective, market baseddiscourse, rather than a resource based one, which is quite unique in thecontext of professionalization. Our conclusion is that the establishment of‘civilekonom’ exemplifies one way in which a profession may undermineits own source of legitimacy by aiming to satisfy selected recipients, andtrying to sell its services on a market where it initially lacks competitiveadvantage. The article ends by pointing at potential long-term problemswith a selectively market based professionalization. We conclude the articlewith a discussion of the value of a ‘civil ekonom’ in light of the role of themodern university in society.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

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