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Participatory Management in a Public Child Welfare Agency: A Key to Effective Change
Abstract
Discusses the benefits of participatory management, specifically, the
involvement of workers in organizational decisions in the context of
challenges presented by the climate & culture of large, public
child welfare agencies. It is argued that participatory approaches
enable agencies to respond to threats & opportunities in their
environment, foster innovation & a synergistic effect in
collaboration, & increase staff satisfaction, performance, &
productivity. These benefits are demonstrated in a case study of a
state child welfare agency. An interdisciplinary task force --
including agency staff, foster parents, court personnel, &
community service providers -- was created to improve policies that
reunify children & families separated by foster care placement.
Useful, applicable, & reasonable recommendations were produced.
Variables in the success of the planning & implementation of such
approaches, particularly in large bureaucratic organizations, are
analyzed. It is concluded that, although implementing the
recommendations will be difficult, participatory management will help
staff meet the challenge. 30 References. T. Arnold
Journal
(1998)
vol22
no1
pages19-32
Categories
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Financial Management
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Organizational Decision Making
