Samenvatting

As was argued in Chapter One, street-level bureaucrats work in roles with bureaucratic and professional characteristics. In an era of complex social problems, professionalism may be seen by street-level bureaucrats, policymakers and public managers as a foundation for delivering public policy that looks more promising than bureaucratic control, which may therefore result in reconsidering the mix of professional and bureaucratic work characteristics. Professionalism as an occupational value favours street-level decisions based on the acknowledged occupational standards, craftsmanship and ethics of workers.