Alicia Jones

Date of Award

Fall 10-18-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

Social Workers employed within Solano County Adult Protective Services (APS) and Child Protective Services (CPS) are individuals who have chosen a complicated path of public service while enduring the external pressures of budget constraints, increased caseloads, and public scrutiny. While these external concerns continue to become more prominent, the internal relationships between staff and leadership have grown more convoluted. Employees have experienced significant administrative and policy changes with leadership styles appearing less focused on communication and collaboration and more fixated on command and control. Workers seeking organizational change believe that transformational adjustments should start at the top. The implementation of a transformational leadership model is believed to be an integral way to elicit these top tiered changes. Transformational leaders exhibit an enthusiastic desire to deny self-seeking impulses and choose instead to empower employees to embrace the organizational vision and aid in the achievement of it. The incorporation of such a model could be the basis for improving professional relationships between staff and leadership while having positive effects on employee motivation and job satisfaction. The purpose of this case study was to identify the effects that transformational leadership can have on employee motivation and job satisfaction within Solano County’s two protective service departments. Information was gathered through the use of a qualitative survey completed by social workers in both APS and CPS as well as in-person interviews conducted with organizational leadership in both departments. Study conclusions and recommendations will be shared with county administrators for their consideration.

Download

Share

COinS