Professionalism among Canadian radio announcers: The impact of organizational control and social attributes

This study explores the influence of perceptions of organizational control and social attributes on professionalism among radio announcers. The study uses data gathered from a stratified random sample of announcers working in Canada. A multiple-regression analysis revealed language, hierarchical authority, announcing experience, freelance income, and lack of a professional education exerted the most influence on professionalism; this model correctly classified half the announcers by level of professionalism. The findings raise concerns about the applicability of conventional occupation-related concepts to announcing because of the nature of this work - creative, individualized, isolating - and its lure for recruits.