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The use of supervisory authority in Chinese cultural context
Abstract
This qualitative study explores supervisory authority in the
relationship between social work supervisors and frontline social
workers in Hong Kong. Forty in-depth interviews and seven focus groups
were conducted with supervisors, supervisees, and local experts. The
findings reflect that the supervisors dominate the decision-making
process and that their authority is apparent in the
supervisor-supervisee relationship. The results reveal that in issues
related to policy or administration, or when there is an urgent need
for timely decision-making, supervisors would give clear instructions
and adopt a straightforward decision-making strategy. Discussion among
staff is allowed and encouraged, but it focuses on issues related to
professional practice or service delivery. Supervisees tend to use
supervision to ensure that the supervisor is responsible for decision-
making, and they often become frustrated when no clear instructions
are given. The Chinese attitude towards hierarchical relationship and
practice of subordination to authority are obvious in the
supervisor-supervisee relationship. Most supervisors interviewed tend
to adopt a "consensus by consultation and consent" approach in their
supervisory practice. This approach reduces staff participation and
sense of belonging. Supervisors are advised to achieve referent power
and expert power by using a competence model of supervision to replace
culturally ascribed authority. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA,
all rights reserved) (journal abstract)
Journal
(2005)
vol29
no4
pages51-68
Categories
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Financing and Evaluting NGOs
