Browsing by Subject "kehittäjätoimijuus"

Based on practical theoretical openings, this study examines the development-oriented agency of social workers working in public sector and actively involved in the development activities provided by the organisation, and their perceptions of the changing expertise of social work regarding the transformational challenges and development needs generated by the changing working life. The change in expertise is examined in relation to examinees’ personal work and development goals, perceptions of organisational citizenship behaviour and opportunities of competence development offered by the organisation. By examining the employees who welcome development, the aim of the study is to provide practical information on ways in which all social workers can be inspired and supported to develop their own skills and work, even though social work is demanding, working environments and conditions are constantly changing and opportunities for vertical career development are limited. The study relied on qualitative methods and the data was collected using semi-structured interview and the method of empathy-based stories (MEBS). The sample consisted of individual interviews of social work¬ers (N=6) – working for the City of Helsinki, in Social Services and Health Care Division and who have participated in career model program provided by the division – empathy-based stories collected upon interviews and of final reports on development projects social workers in question implemented as a part of the career model program. The data was analyzed by using qualitative theory-driven content analysis as well as interpretations characteristic for semiotic analysis. The results suggested that social workers perceive developing not only as an inherent way to act but also part of one’s work and professional identity as a matter of course. Hence, transformative agency can be perceived as an active means of responding to change, that appeared to have consolidated to a professional practice as a result of successful development initiatives and transactive processes as well as self-recognition of activities, i.e. by experiencing development as meaningful. Ambition to develop and pursue high-quality and ethically sustainable, research-based and customer-oriented work has also encouraged social workers to overcome potential organisational barriers. Based on this study, social workers’ transformative agency should primarily be supported by communal and organisational means, because it is crucial that development work is recognized as significant also at a collective level. The possibilities for horizontal career development should be expanded and diversified, employees’ self-recognition of activities, development-related skills and positive mindsets strengthened, the core aspect of social work and associated values clarified, and time for development be set aside. In addition, structures enabling professional learning and reflection, the accessibility of research knowledge, as well as practices supporting the dissemination and consolidation of innovations should be safeguarded.