The contracting out of senior centers: A model for examining the impact of privatization on the personal social services.
Item
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Title
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The contracting out of senior centers: A model for examining the impact of privatization on the personal social services.
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Identifier
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AAI9830744
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identifier
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9830744
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Creator
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Nesoff, Irwin.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Robert Salmon
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Date
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1998
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, Public and Social Welfare | Business Administration, Management | Gerontology
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Abstract
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This exploratory study, using qualitative methods, presents findings from eleven senior centers that underwent the transition from direct government operations to nonprofit sponsorship. Data was gathered through focus group interviews with senior center members who participated at their centers before, during and after the change in sponsorship. Eighty-seven individuals participated at the eleven centers. Data for the study was collected over a six month period, approximately five years after each center had undergone the transition in sponsorship. Through these interviews, members reactions to the change in sponsorship is sought. Although the majority of participants in the study expressed their desire to remain with their new sponsors, even if given the opportunity to return to city sponsorship, the actual improvements or changes as viewed through the members eyes was more difficult to gauge. Areas focused on included food and meal service, the physical facility, staffing and programs.;Broader themes emerged from the interviews, with significance beyond the contracting of these senior centers. These themes provide insight into the impact of major organizational change through the eyes of the clients of those organizations. Emphasized through a cross-case analysis are issues that organizational sponsors must address when planning a change of this magnitude, in order to reduce stress upon the participants. These include: the need to communicate a compelling reason for the change; developing a positive connection to the new sponsor on the part of the participants; creating concrete improvements in the services that members can point to; and, recognizing the strong bond with prior operational methods by participants with a prior claim to membership.;The exploratory nature of this study, and the limited sample focusing on senior centers suggest the need for further inquiry. However, the qualitative nature of this study, using grounded theory techniques, provide information for practitioners planning major organizational change. The themes revealed by the participants are compared to themes expressed in the literature for staff resistance to change. The importance of considering participant resistance to change is stressed in planning and implementing a successful change effort.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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D.S.W.
