Social work management and leadership in a democratic South Africa : perceptions of social workers in senior positions employed in non governmental organizations.
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Date
2010-11-10
Authors
Maleka, Eileen
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Abstract
Management and leadership has, over the years, become the critical ingredient in organisational
theory and practice. From its earliest conception and as studies of these practices developed,
professionals occupying these positions experienced change. The profession of social work
was no stranger to organisational instability; though ambivalent about the practice of
management and leadership. This study therefore argues that an understanding of management
and leadership will equip social work managers and leaders to attain organisational goals.
The study thus aimed to explore the nature of social work management and leadership in
non governmental organisations in Johannesburg, a city located in the Gauteng Province of
South Africa. More specifically, the myriad roles and functions of social work managers and
leaders were explored and an understanding of the differences between management and
leadership in social work was attained. Further more, the study investigated the needs of
managers and leaders in social work inclusive of the coping strategies, resilience and strengths
employed by managers and leaders in social work settings. The study had an exploratory
descriptive design which incorporated both quantitative and qualitative methods. Semi
structured interviews were conducted with key informants namely: social work managers and
social work leaders. Qualitative thematic content analysis was used to analyse the transcribed
responses of seven leaders and twenty managers to open-ended questions relating to the study’s
research questions. Three thematic categories emerged namely: Conceptualization of Leadership
and Management; Needs of Managers and Leaders and Resilience and Coping. Analysis
suggested that while participants’ do have a rudimentary awareness of management and leadership,
it is inadequate. The study concluded that formalized training for social work managers and
leaders would benefit organisations, personnel employed in them, persons served and ultimately
the cause of social work. Finally, this study provides some important suggestions for the
management and leadership of social work; apt for non governmental organisations. It
also highlights interesting variables and potential hypotheses for future research.