Occupational Versus Organizational Influences on Reference Group Identification

Two models of influence on reference-group identification were tested; the professional model that posits that occupational members retain an enduring stable identity established via their socialization experience was compared to the situational model, which emphasizes the resocializing pressures of the work situation. The pharmacy occupation provides a chance to compare occupational versus organizational effects on reference group identity because of the diversity in role orientations (business and professional) and work settings. Data from a population of pharmacists in a middle sized urban area strongly support the situational model. Reference group identity follows the power structure of the work setting as hospital pharmacists identified with physicians, while neighborhood pharmacists displayed a colleague-identity and chain store pharmacists rejected both occupational groups to identify with clients. Focusing on the power hierarchy of the work setting accounts for the diverse findings of both professional and situational models. Only in settings where the occupation dominates is identity colleague-based. Suggestions for revamping the outdated professional model to take into consideration the changed employment settings are offered.