ABSTRACT
There is no generally accepted definition of what constitutes a professional or a professional service. In fact, the word professional is often so bastardized in the marketplace it is difficult to find any occupation that has not added the term professional to their title. However, there is one excellent definition proposed by Gummesson. The definition states:
A professional service is qualified, it is advisory and problem-solving, even though it may encompass some routine work for clients. The professionals involved have a common identity, like physicians, lawyers, accountants or engineers, and are regulated by traditions and codes of ethics. The service offered, if accepted, involves the professional in taking on assignments for the client and those assignments are themselves the limit of the professional’s involvement. Such assignments are not undertaken to merely sell hardware or other services. (1981, p. 108)
