The Myth of the Computer Professional

The meaning of the term “professionals” in industrial management is discussed as well as its appropriateness. The division of loyalties between a manager's profession and company is not as apparent as some think. In computer management the work, far from becoming more professionalised, has become increasingly deskilled. The “social distance” (Johnson's term) between computer experts and other managers has been reduced and the notion of a “computer professional” is something of a myth.