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Readiness for change: Understanding the importance of empowering leadership

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  • Alboroto, Richard
  • Garza, Tiberio
  • McNaughtan, Jon

Abstract

This study investigates the connections between empowerment, leadership, learning culture, physical environment, and readiness for change among social workers in child welfare organizations. Utilizing data from a comprehensive organizational health assessment survey of 2,832 individuals, exploratory structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is employed to analyze the direct and indirect effects of empowerment variables on readiness for change, as well as the influence of leadership, learning culture, and physical environment. The findings highlight the importance of trust, self-determination, personal consequence, and meaning in enhancing social workers’ sense of empowerment, with trust emerging as the most influential factor. Effective leadership, a positive learning culture, and professional development are identified as key factors contributing to increased readiness for change. These results offer practical insights for child welfare organizations to enhance caseworker empowerment and readiness for change, emphasizing the significance of trust, autonomy, skill recognition, and meaningfulness, as well as investing in leadership development and fostering a supportive learning culture. Future research can explore these relationships further and identify additional factors to improve organizational effectiveness and support vulnerable children and families.

Suggested Citation

  • Alboroto, Richard & Garza, Tiberio & McNaughtan, Jon, 2024. "Readiness for change: Understanding the importance of empowering leadership," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:163:y:2024:i:c:s0190740924003402
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107768
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