Application of Organization and Systems Theory to Human Services Reform

摘要

Theories and techniques having relevance for the organization, management, and reform of human services are classified as traditional theories, emergent theories, applications, and techniques. The potential and actual application of the organization of systems theory to human service reform efforts is examined in this monograph. Factors that occur in the change process are identified, and five innovative examples of theory application are: management of integrated services; network management; human service planning; project management; and new system building. Case studies that describe methodologies actually employed in human service change processes or reform efforts were selected to illustrate a wide variety of organization and systems applications, both in terms of geograhic and organizational setting and in terms of the nature of theories and techniques applied. It is stated that the level of theory application is much greater than the practitioner or academician may envision and that, in actuality, practitioners can and do assemble their own repertoires within the context of their existing situations to effect change. A step - by - step application of organization and systems theory to the case studies is detailed in an appendix. A glossary of techniques is provided.