Organization Practice

Human service organizations are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that their programs work. Organization Practice, Second Edition helps students and professionals in human services and nonprofit management understand complex behaviors in organizations. This new edition provides a new, practical model for understanding cultural identities within organizations. Also, it is significantly revised to include numerous real-world cases, critical thinking questions, empirical support, and engaging exercises. Social workers, as well as public health and nonprofit administrators will benefit from the insights in this book. Preface ix

Acknowledgments xv

ORIENTATION AND OVERVIEW

1 Human Service Practice in a Diverse Organizational Landscape 3

2 Frameworks for the Organization Practitioner 41

PART I STRUCTURE AND CONTROL

3 Traditional Organizations 91

4 Practice in Traditional Organizations 119

PART II CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING FOR CHANGE

5 Social Change Organizations 153

6 Practice in Social Change Organizations 179

PART III CONNECTION AND COLLABORATION

7 Serendipitous Organizations 213

8 Practice in Serendipitous Organizations 239

PART IV INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERMENT

9 Entrepreneurial Organizations 273

10 Practice in Entrepreneurial Organizations 299

CONCLUSION

11 Multiparadigmatic Practice 327

Appendix A: Organization Assessment 365

Glossary 375

References 385

Author Index 401

Subject Index 409

"The most impressive aspect of this book is that the authors chose to present the complexity of social work organization practice over a more simplistic description. This book provides a framework useful for thinking about how to be a social worker at the organization level, moving towards the incorporation of difference and diversity as an avenue towards social justice both within the organization and in the organization’s relationships with the greater community. Developing the self-awareness and critical thinking necessary to navigate such paradoxical realities is the focus of this extraordinary book." (Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work Newsletter, June 9, 2009) Mary Katherine O'Connor, PHD, is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she teaches in the PhD and MSW programs.

F. Ellen Netting, PHD, is the Samuel S. Wurtzel Endowed Chair and Professor of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she teaches in the PhD, MSW, and BSW programs.

A fully updated and revised guide to effective practice techniques in human service and nonprofit organizations

Now with a new emphasis on cultural sensitivity and diversity, Organization Practice, Second Edition helps professionals and students in human services and nonprofit management assess and understand complex behaviors and cultural differences within organizations. The authors set forth a model for improving both internal (employee) and external (customer/client) relationships as well as organizational effectiveness and efficiency.

Presenting a new, practical model for understanding cultural identities within organizations, the authors include numerous real-world cases, critical thinking questions, empirical support, and engaging exercises that help guide the reader in understanding how to apply proven techniques within their own organizations to affect positive change and promote inspiring leadership. Exploring core values, standards of excellence, and cultural characteristics of different organizations, the authors help the reader understand the role each of these factors plays in organizational behavior and effectiveness.

Practical yet scholarly, Organization Practice, Second Edition focuses on the knowledge and skills practitioners need to learn to create organizations that will flourish. A must for social workers, public health, and nonprofit administrators.