External supervision for social workers in another socio-political context: a qualitative study in Shenzhen, China

Mo, Kitty Yuen-han; Tsui, Ming‐sum

doi:10.1080/17525098.2016.1141474

Cited by 9 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…According to structuration theory, individuals are not passive recipients of structures and can rely on their cognitive abilities and reflective actions to transform structures (Giddens, 1987). Social workers are exposed to complex and diverse structural environments – the ‘time–space’ structure of action – through the intertwined use of behavioral strategies such as imitation (Leung, 2012), confrontation (Lu and Chen, 2022), and negotiation (Mo and Tsui, 2016) to interactively respond to various issues emerging in continuously changing contexts, thereby achieving the reproduction and change of social structures. Giddens believes that the cognitive abilities of actors are basically manifested in practical consciousness and rarely enter the discourse level (Giddens, 1987).…”

Section: Research Context Of Structuration Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Between autonomy and subordination: The micro-production mechanism of professional roles in a Chinese street social workstation

Zhang

2023

International Sociology

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Based on the dilemma social workers face at the grassroots level in a street social workstation, this article discusses the micro-production mechanism of their professional role in China. Along with the life cycle of the social workstation, three different sets of camouflage schemes have been formed, namely, isomorphism, polymorphism, and heterogeneous isomorphism, to avoid identity crises and continue the survival logic. This study argues that the social workstation can not only be viewed as outsourcing of government social functions but rather bring the possibility of using social work methods as national governance techniques. The camouflage practice of social workers is an important manifestation of the penetration of national governance into society through the flexibility of social organizations. This new form of social work professional practice means that social workers have gradually evolved into stewards of government management, posing challenges to their professional roles and leading to more complex individual actions.

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Section: Research Context Of Structuration Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Between autonomy and subordination: The micro-production mechanism of professional roles in a Chinese street social workstation

Zhang

2023

International Sociology

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“…It is educational and developmental, as the emphasis is on long-term professional growth of social workers. Social work organizations in Shenzhen adopt a dual supervision model in their establishment phase (Mo and Tsui, 2016; Hung et al, 2010). Social workers are provided with supervision from external supervisors and internal line managers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward an indigenized external supervision approach in China

Tsui

2018

International Social Work

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Today’s social work supervision is highly administration focused; however, the approach to supervision in Mainland China is unusual. According to a study conducted in Shenzhen, a special economic region in the Pearl River Delta, a dual supervision approach has been created. Consistent with recent empirical studies by international scholars, supervision can exist in many forms that best fit the needs of professional social workers. The findings in this study remind us to reattach importance to the educational functions of today’s social work supervision. The indigenized external supervision approach developed in Shenzhen can be used for reference in other cities in China.

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