Abstract
This chapter concerns the role of professional culture(s) in the emergency services while these organisations embark on a professionalisation and modernisation agenda. The concept of organisational culture is enduring, and cultural change is now a popular prescription for organisational change since structural changes are not deemed adequate to bring real transformational change. The chapter first provides a conceptual understanding of organisational culture and change. In analysing these issues within the context of the emergency services, we review the evidence about the changing perceptions of the organisational and occupational culture(s) in the police, ambulance and fire services which historically has been quite negative. The conceptual complexity adds to the difficulties of bringing effective transformation. While the pace of such changes is slow, we see positive signs, most noticeable in the recruitment of more younger, diverse workforce which necessitates a more open mindset to understand and review the notion of organisational culture(s).
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Wankhade, P., Patnaik, S. (2020). Professional Cultures and Changing Identities in the Emergency Services. In: Collaboration and Governance in the Emergency Services. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21329-9_6
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