Motståndshandlingar- En del av socionomers yrkespraktik?

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to describe and analyze how social workers use different types of resistance in their professional work when dissatisfied with organizational routines and directives. We have used a qualitative method,through 8 semi structured interviews with social workers working through both NGO:s and governmental organizations. The theory used was Theodor Hirschman’s conceptualization of Exit, Voice, Loyalty together with concepts such as professional cunning and critics’ processes, that we found complementary. Our main results concern the identification of the expressions of silent resistance in terms ofcunningness and overt resistance in terms of protest within and outside of the organization,whistleblowing, contacting politicians and union engagements. Exit, a final resistance expression, was also found, yet often as a final strategy after having tried resistance strategies. This study contributes with knowledge on different resistance strategies and makes a theoretical contribution by combining Hirschman’s theory on Exit, Voice, Loyalty with nuancing and complementary concepts.