Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

12-1985

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major Professor

Gerald C. Ubben

Committee Members

Dewey H. Stollar, Charles Thompson, Arthur J. D. Cook

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if administrators of publicly and independently funded social service agencies have need for or could benefit from additional education/training in leadership/management skills. Such information can be used to help in the development of educational programs in professions other than those identified as public or private educational institutions.

The study included an examination of related literature, a review and summary of skills necessary to be effective as a social service administrator, the development of a questionnaire to assess administrative function, perception of management skills, and perceived need for further education or training in management, and an evaluation to determine the suitability of course offerings for social service administrators.

The scope of the study was delimited to administrators of social service agencies in a thirty county area of East and Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. Data were collected from the administrators by use of a questionnaire. Responses were received from 117 or 51.3 percent of the administrators.

Significant findings of the study were: the majority of administrators of social service agencies in the area surveyed do not have formal training in administration or management; the administrators of social service agencies in the area surveyed would pursue further management training if it were made available to them; and the administrators would prefer that further administrative training take place in the seminar format. The study's recommendations included: efforts must be made by administrators of social service agencies to remain current with regard to management knowledge and techniques; social service agencies should work together in sponsorship of continuing education or training in management areas; and university departments offering coursework in administration or management should consider providing training opportunities to social service administrative personnel. ,p>From these findings, it can be concluded that administrators of social service agencies can benefit from further education or training in management areas. The data suggest that management knowledge/skills do contribute to the administrator's perception of his/her effectiveness. Effort, therefore, should be made to respond to the need for trained administrators in the social services by sponsoring programs in administration and by permitting employees to enter graduate programs which emphasize content in management and administration.

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