- Lianne M. Lefsrud, Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2R6, Canada Email: lefsrud@ualberta.ca
Abstract
This paper examines the framings and
identity work associated with professionals’ discursive construction of
climate change
science, their legitimation of themselves as
experts on ‘the truth’, and their attitudes towards regulatory measures.
Drawing
from survey responses of 1077 professional
engineers and geoscientists, we reconstruct their framings of the issue
and knowledge
claims to position themselves within their
organizational and their professional institutions. In understanding the
struggle
over what constitutes and legitimizes expertise, we
make apparent the heterogeneity of claims, legitimation strategies, and
use of emotionality and metaphor. By linking
notions of the science or science fiction of climate change to the
assessment
of the adequacy of global and local policies and of
potential organizational responses, we contribute to the understanding
of ‘defensive institutional work’ by professionals
within petroleum companies, related industries, government regulators,
and their professional association.
