This article explores unions' ideas about representative participation in employee-driven development in the Norwegian public sector, using key documents from two unions for professionals and one general union. By means of qualitative ideational analysis, the article finds that none of the unions clearly convey ideas linking representative participation to knowledge-based, employee-driven development, and the article argues that the potential for employee participation is not fully developed by these unions in the Norwegian public sector. Further, the analysis reveals differences between the unions in whether they describe their local representatives as a collective professional voice. This finding transcend the traditional division between professional associations and general unions, and raises new questions about the role of professional autonomy and knowledge in relation to representative participation and workplace development.

Tillitsvalgtes oppfatninger om egen rolle i faglig utviklingsarbeid En studie av rolleforståelse blant arbeidsplasstillitsvalgte i offentlig sektor Union representatives' perceptions of their own role in professional development work A study of role construction among workplace-elected representatives in the Norwegian public sector Arnhild Bie-Drivdal

The role of unions as agents of professional knowledge is seldom addressed in studies on working life relations.This article investigates how unions with different degrees of professionalization con- ceptualize members’ interests and influence in the workplace. Two unions of professionals and one general union in the Norwegian public sector are compared. The data consist of union documents, speeches, and interviews with 12 workplace representatives. A ‘union logic’ and ‘professional association logic’ are developed and applied as analytical ideal types, and the unions’ conceptualizations and combinations of these institutional logics are analyzed. The article finds similarities and differences between the unions and interesting differences between the unions’ micro and macro levels. Further, a distinct hybrid logic is identified as a ‘union of professionals logic’, with professional influence and the agency of elected representatives as key aspects. Introducing perspectives from the study of professions, the article contributes to a reconceptualization of the study of unions within the Nordic model – and beyond.