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A mixed-methods study of the impact of organizational culture on workforce retention in child welfare

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  • Zeitlin, Wendy
  • Augsberger, Astraea
  • Auerbach, Charles
  • McGowan, Brenda

Abstract

The recruitment and retention of a stable, qualified workforce has been an on-going challenge for the child welfare system. Prior research has identified both individual and organizational factors influencing retention and turnover in child welfare. The current study uses mixed methods to examine the impact of perceived organizational culture on workers' intention to remain employed. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed that perceived organizational culture, as understood as being comprised of both relationships and values, could be related to worker retention. Based on the qualitative findings, the researchers selected quantitative measures to operationalize the various aspects of organizational culture. Results from the logistic regression indicated that intention to remain employed was significantly related to organizational culture. Implications for practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeitlin, Wendy & Augsberger, Astraea & Auerbach, Charles & McGowan, Brenda, 2014. "A mixed-methods study of the impact of organizational culture on workforce retention in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 36-43.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:38:y:2014:i:c:p:36-43
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.01.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yankeelov, Pamela A. & Barbee, Anita P. & Sullivan, Dana & Antle, Becky F., 2009. "Individual and organizational factors in job retention in Kentucky's child welfare agency," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 547-554, May.
    2. Strand, Virginia C. & Spath, Robin & Bosco-Ruggiero, Stephanie, 2010. "So you have a stable child welfare workforce -- What's next?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 338-345, March.
    3. Augsberger, Astraea & Schudrich, Wendy & McGowan, Brenda G. & Auerbach, Charles, 2012. "Respect in the workplace: A mixed methods study of retention and turnover in the voluntary child welfare sector," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 1222-1229.
    4. Williams, Sharon E. & Nichols, Quienton l. & Kirk, Alan & Wilson, Takeisha, 2011. "A recent look at the factors influencing workforce retention in public child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 157-160, January.
    5. Ellett, Alberta J., 2009. "Intentions to remain employed in child welfare: The role of human caring, self-efficacy beliefs, and professional organizational culture," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 78-88, January.
    6. DePanfilis, Diane & Zlotnik, Joan Levy, 2008. "Retention of front-line staff in child welfare: A systematic review of research," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(9), pages 995-1008, September.
    7. Auerbach, Charles & McGowan, Brenda G. & Ausberger, Astraea & Strolin-Goltzman, Jessica & Schudrich, Wendy, 2010. "Differential factors influencing public and voluntary child welfare workers' intention to leave," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1396-1402, October.
    8. Schudrich, Wendy Zeitlin & Liao, Aries & Lawrence, Catherine & Auerbach, Charles & Gomes, Anne-Marie & Fernandes, Gretta & McGowan, Brenda & Claiborne, Nancy, 2013. "Intention to leave in social workers and educators employed in voluntary child welfare agencies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 657-663.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lizano, Erica L. & Mor Barak, Michalle, 2015. "Job burnout and affective wellbeing: A longitudinal study of burnout and job satisfaction among public child welfare workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 18-28.
    2. Schelbe, Lisa & Radey, Melissa & Panisch, Lisa S., 2017. "Satisfactions and stressors experienced by recently-hired frontline child welfare workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 56-63.
    3. Johnco, Carly & Salloum, Alison & Olson, Kayla R. & Edwards, LaTishia M., 2014. "Child Welfare Workers’ Perspectives on Contributing Factors to Retention and Turnover: Recommendations for Improvement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 47(P3), pages 397-407.
    4. Vito, Rosemary, 2020. "Key variations in organizational culture and leadership influence: A comparison between three children’s mental health and child welfare agencies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    5. Haight, Wendy & Sugrue, Erin P. & Calhoun, Molly, 2017. "Moral injury among Child Protection Professionals: Implications for the ethical treatment and retention of workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 27-41.
    6. Burns, Desirée D. & Langenderfer-Magruder, Lisa & Yelick, Anna & Wilke, Dina J., 2023. "What else is there to say? Reflections of newly-hired child welfare workers by retention status," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    7. Sears, Jeanelle S. & Hall, Martin T. & Harris, Lesley M. & Mount, Shannon & Willauer, Tina & Posze, Lynn & Smead, Erin, 2017. "“Like a marriage”: Partnering with peer mentors in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 80-86.

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