A Grounded Theory Study of Organizational Readiness for Change in Public Child Welfare: Developing a Theoretical Model.

GROUNDED theory; CHILD welfare; ORGANIZATIONAL change; SUPERVISION of employees; SOCIAL worker attitudes; CORPORATE culture; INTERVIEWING; LEADERSHIP; MATHEMATICAL models; RESEARCH methodology; THEORY

This study used grounded theory to explore the perspectives of public child welfare caseworkers and supervisors on the system’s readiness for change. Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted within three counties in a Midwestern state. A theoretical model of child welfare organizational readiness of change was developed to include influential factors inside and outside of the organization. While leadership is the most significant internal factor, external factors are also crucial to readiness for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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