Professionalism as Reputation Capital: The Moral Imperative in the Global Financial Crisis

Organisations typically leverage professionalism to promote reputational capital. Reporting on the origins, role and implications of professionalism as a strategic driver, this paper describes a recent Australian study into aspects of a trait driven ideology supported through individual relationships. Rather than being tangible and teachable, the paper argues that professionalism may be passed between generations of workers from childhood and independently of organisational demand or culture. The paper emphasizes the impact that an individual's pursuit of professionalism has upon the reputation capital, and ultimately on the strategic advantage, of an organisation.