Occupational Activism: Conceptual Distinctions and Theoretical Frameworks

Occupational activism refers to socially transformative action pursued through one's occupational role or community. In this introduction to Work and Occupations ’ special issue on “Working for Social Change,” we clarify how occupational activism is distinct from other concepts such as social movement activism, labor movement activism, institutional activism, and professional activism. We also identify several theoretical frameworks from adjacent fields that can be repurposed and applied to the study of occupational activism, including social movement theory, organizational inequality theories, and street-level bureaucracy theory. Altogether, our article offers a foundation for future research on activism in and through the world of work.