Essay On Community Management

 

The following reflective journal includes the description of my reflection regarding the material covered during the lecture as well as the tutorial for weeks 1 to week 10. Peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles and books by Robbins, et al., (2019) and Hudson, (2019), in addition to the textbook references as well as reports by service organizations and government reports, have been included to write this reflective journal. Several issues and impacts on the community service organizations have been discussed in this reflective journal with the identification of several gaps or limitations of the research conducted throughout the assessment (Vassos, (2019)).

 

The topics covered during week 1 to week 10 include an introduction to management in community services that is the foundation of Management practices, structure or role and processes of governance, leadership and motivational theories, the foundation of decision making, strategic management and planning, introducing performance measures and managing performance, control method and processes, managing strategic partnerships by handling change and innovation has been critically analyzed throughout the reflective journal. Group tutorial activities such as examination of leadership during the crisis, welcome introduction to the unit of Management and community services, assessment and academic expectations, investigating strategic planning for a not-for-profit organization, facilitating organizational change by making use of new partnerships and innovation have been enjoyed during the entire week from 1 to 10 (Beddoe, (2019)).

 

 

Week 1 emphasizes the introduction to management in the community services as well as several foundations of Management practices. Robbins, et al, 2019 end to investigate that management in the field of community services and management practices place a crucial role to direct as well as control the group of individuals or the company in order to attain its objectives and goals of it. Management in the field of community services emphasizes developing several different kinds of skills so that non-profit community firms, as well as private firms, can be managed. This topic is very useful for us as a student as it will contribute to achieving desired knowledge and understanding of community organizations (Kranke, et al., 2022).

 

Several assessments conducted during the group activity tutorials contributed to enhancing my own self-management practices that I can easily implement in my current place as well as in future job responsibilities. This week was very enjoyable and also taught us the contribution of teamwork to achieve knowledge of community development methodologies and also to acquire several strategies to build relationships with colleagues, outreaching the society as well as leadership in the community. The week was also helpful as it provided me the opportunity to increase my own self-understanding regarding the community-based public management and social policies or procedures and also to achieve perspective or opinions in terms of cultural, social as well as political problems. The authors also recommended that community services are great places to work as it is emphasizing social provision as well as advocacy to meet academic expectations (Fleming, & Mondon, 2018).

 

 

Hudson, (2009) in chapter 1 emphasizes the structure, roles, and several different procedures or processes of governance that play a crucial role in the management field. The framework or structure of the governance indicates the original framework of project management, especially in terms of policies or procedures, rules or regulations, and division in terms of roles or responsibilities within the complete process of finalizing the decision-making process. This week was very enjoyable while reviewing board composition and self-evaluation of the mission which was the part of the group tutorial activity that contributed to teaching the importance of teamwork as well as collaboration. Government structure also helps in keeping the mission of the project in proper check which provided an allowance to go it very flawlessly and according to the plan. Several assessments conducted during the group activity tutorials contributed to enhancing my own self-management practices that I can easily implement in my current place as well as in future job responsibilities. This week helped me in evaluating or estimating my own mission to finalize the decision-making process in accordance with the roles and processes of governance (Gates, Bennett, & Yadav, 2021).

 

 

Robbins, et al., (2019) in Chapter 11 during Week 3 aimed to investigate several theories of leadership. Leadership theories are basically associated with those explanations of why and how specific individuals become leaders. This topic contributed to me emphasizing my behavior and traits that must be adopted by me so that my leadership capabilities can be increased during future job responsibilities. High moral standards, as well as strong ethics taught during this week 3, were top-level traits of good leadership that were very helpful for me in my current place of job. The trait Theory of leadership emphasizes that specific qualities for example accountability, the feeling of responsibility, intelligence, innovation, and creativity among each other at the workplace should be excelled in leadership (Walters, Brown, & Jones, 2018). Behavioral theory lets me allowed to consider efficient or effective kind of leadership will result in acquiring learning skills to be a good leader. Transactional leadership theories motivated me to work under supervision, teamwork as well and organizational level and also to consider punishment as well as rewards to be the base for leadership activities. The transformational theory emphasizes strengthening my relationship with team members and leaders to be charismatic and inspirational so that peers can be encouraged to perform better tasks. Situational Theory of leadership and contingency theory also contributed to my leadership skills during the crisis (Hughes, & Wearing, 2021).

 

 

Robbins, et al., (2019) in Chapter 10 during Week 3 aimed to investigate several different kinds of motivational theories. According to the author motivational theories is the investigation to understand what will drive an individual to work for a specific result or goal in community services. Motivation is defined as the state of mind full of enthusiasm and energy to attain the desired aim. Maslow's theory of hierarchical needs suggested that an individual will be encouraged when each of his needs and desires will be fulfilled. These needs can include safety needs, self-esteem needs, psychological demands, self acceleration demands as well as self-esteem demands. According to this theory, I need to understand at what level I am so that my needs can be satisfied and fulfilled to perform better. Herzberg two factor theory suggested that motivating factors, as well as hygiene factors, will contribute to enhancing my leadership skills in community service. The group tutorial activity to motivate staff members and volunteers in the community services contributed greatly. McClelland's theory suggested that three motivators naming affiliation, achievement, and power will work as motivating drivers. Vroom expectancy theory in terms of motivation suggested that the motivation of staff members and volunteers in community service will be influenced by their own expectations regarding their future such as their expectancy, instrumentality, and valence (Hunt, Staniforth, & Beddoe, 2019).

 

 

According to Robbins, et al., (2019), as discussed in chapter 3 during week 5, it emphasizes the foundations of the decision-making process. The author suggested that the first level to conduct an effective kind of decision-making is to understand what a good decision is. The tutorials or activities of this week suggested that smart kind of financial decisions arises when the already known pitfalls are avoided in the decision-making process or human behavior. The readings of this week also recommended that I must emphasize those particular elements which may be controlled or impacted instead of those aspects that cannot. Group tutorial activity conductor during this week suggested that appropriate strategies should be provided while making decisions in an environment of risk and uncertainty having the best possible chance to attain the desired goal. The readings of Robbins, et al., 2019 also suggested that conducting smart financial decisions will not be associated to achieve great outcomes or results and associated with an unachievable kind of set of standards, but it is associated to understand robust processes as well as associative research so that the odds of desirable goals can be biased in my own favor (Hunt, Staniforth, & Beddoe, 2019).

 

 

As per the study by Robbins, et al., (2019) in chapter 4, strategic planning is associated with the kind of approach that is utilized to create the direction of not-for-profit organizations, and strategic management is associated with the overall procedure to achieve the direction of not for profit organizations from the planning process to the executing process. Strategic planning taught in Chapter 4 suggested to me that the major steps included in it are to define the strategic position, give priority to the objectives, make a strategic plan, implement and handle the plant and then revise or review this plan. I must implement all these steps of strategic planning while making any plan for a not-for-profit organization. Hudson, (2009) in chapters 5, 7, and 8 into investigating that strategic planning, as well as strategic management, are crucial as they will let me track my overall progress towards objectives or goals. I understood from this week’s group tutorial activity that examining the strategic plan for a not-for-profit organization is vital as it will directly influence the progress's success and also make a top-down approach in order to track the KPIs (Fisher, Newton, & Sainsbury, 2021).

 

 

According to the author Hudson, (2009), introducing the performance measures and handling the performance plays a crucial role in the final outcome, output as well as impact. As per the readings and tutorials of Chapters 6 and 9, performance measures such as the development of a mission statement, and vision statement, introducing goals and organizing objects, and creating a proper action Plan must be given priority to introduce performance measures. Group tutorial activity suggested that output measures or workload measures must be considered to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency as well as productivity of the input (Sinclaire, Young, & Tilbury, 2022). The readings of this week 7 also recommended that organizational goals must be defined, success measures are introduced, outcomes be evaluated, and implement proper action on the outcome. I also learned that performance measures are necessary for my performance improvement on a long-term basis. It will also contribute to recognizing my strength as well as weakness and several different areas of improvement to set the different benchmarks in my current as well as future job responsibilities (Fine, & Davidson, 2018).

 

 

Robbins, et al., (2019) in Chapter 13 aimed to examine those control methods, as well as processes, that are important in the community service Management of the not-for-profit organization. The control methods and processes such as histogram, Pareto charts, diagram of defect concentration, diagram of cause and effect, scatter diagram, and control chart is necessary to apply the process control and these are some of the core investigating and monitoring apparatus that will help me during control prior, during and post service provision. The author suggested that the main objective of these quality control is to make sure that output or services shipped to the consumers should meet their specifications (Canda, Furman, & Canda, 2019).

 

According to Hudson, (2009) Chapter 10 emphasizes the fact that strategic partnership should be managed and handled very properly for community services. Quality control is associated with the procedure to inspect or investigate sufficient products or services to make sure the specified level of quality. Group tutorial activity to explore different ways to control prior, during, and post-service provision will contribute me to handle the quality and improve my own performance in current as well as future job responsibilities (Braid, 2021).

 

 

Hudson, (2019) aimed to investigate in chapter 12 that strategic partnerships should be managed very properly for community service. The author suggested that strategic partnership should be maintained in the present or future job so that the involvement of resource sharing between two different categories success can be achieved. The readings and tutorials of this week helped me to understand that ongoing contributions should be made out in strategic sections. Equity strategic alliance, joint venture as well as a non-equity strategic alliance are core statistics partnerships in any business. The author also recommended that developing measurement procedures and introducing alliance procedures are necessary principles to manage strategic alliances for community service. Group tutorial activities during week 9 of recognizing different kinds of partnerships for community service helped me to manage strategic partnerships with my colleagues or seniors (Alston, & Bowles, 2020).

 

 

Hudson, (2019) aimed to investigate in chapter 13 that management of change and innovation in the organization by making use of new partnerships for community services must be emphasized. The readings and tutorials of this week 10 made me understand that changes and innovations can only be attained while communicating with team members and leaders. Chapter 13 also suggested that the skill to manage or handle individual team members with change procedures and problems of sustainability are the most important predictive skills. Robbins, et al., (2019) examined that Innovation is basically associated with introducing new elements in community services such as new knowledge or new administration or new company, or new procession skills. I understood that being a leader it is necessary to truly purchase the concept of innovation or creativity to promote change and innovation. Group tutorial activities to facilitate change and innovation by making use of new partnerships for community service contributed greatly to driving innovation and changes in current or future job responsibilities. Motivating culture, a positive environment, regarding the successful concept, diversity as well as anonymity, and providing productive space are some of the ways by which innovation and creativity can be stimulated (Barsky, 2019).

 

 

In conclusion, it can be stated that discussing the reflective journal assessment provided me the opportunity to attend and review the lecture content for weeks 1 to 10 and learn different aspects of my personal as well as professional life. This reflective journal included only the material covered during the lecture and group tutorial activities for the particular week by reviewing peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles and book chapters by Robbins, et al., (2019) and Hudson, (2019) has also been used as the reference to attempt this reflective journal. Week 1 discusses the management in the community services as well as several foundations of Management practices. Week 2 emphasizes the structure, roles, and several different procedures or processes of governance that play a crucial role in the management field.

 

Week 3 emphasizes discussing several theories of leadership such as Trait Theory of leadership, behavioral theory, transactional theory, transformational theory, situational Theory of leadership as well as contingency theory. Week for discusses several different kinds of motivational theories such as Maslow's theory of hierarchical needs, Herzberg two factor theory, McClelland's theory, etc. Week 5 emphasizes the foundation of the decision-making process. Week 6 discusses strategic planning and strategic management for the not-for-profit organization. Week 7 focuses on performance measures and handling the performance. Week 8 was associated with the discussion of control methods as well as the process that are important in the community service Management of the not-for-profit organization. Week 9 was associated with strategic partnerships to be managed properly and weak 10 discusses the management of change and innovation for community services.

 

 

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2020). Research for social workers: An introduction to methods. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Research-for-Social-Workers-An-introduction-to-methods/Alston/p/book/9781760297442 

 

 

Barsky, A. E. (2019). Ethics and values in social work: An integrated approach for a comprehensive curriculum. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/ethics-and-values-in-social-work-9780190678111?cc=id&lang=en& 

 

 

Beddoe, L. (2019). Social Work Education: Shifting the Focus from Reflection to Analysis: Commentary on “Student reflections on vulnerability and self-awareness in a social work skills course”(Blakemore & Agllias, 2018) and “Reflective practice, reflexivity, and critical reflection in social work education in Australia”(Watts, 2018). Australian Social Work, 72(1), 105-108. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2018.1534981

 

 

Braid, R. (2021). Supervision of Social Work in Australia: The Appropriateness of Including Administration. AUSTRALIAN COUNSELLING RESEARCH. https://www.acrjournal.com.au/resources/assets/journals/Volume-15-SS-Issue-2021/Manuscript3%20-%20Supervision%20of%20Social%20Work%20in%20Australia.pdf 

 

 

Canda, E. R., Furman, L. D., & Canda, H. J. (2019). Spiritual diversity in social work practice: The heart of helping. Oxford University Press, USA. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/spiritual-diversity-in-social-work-practice-9780190602291?cc=id&lang=en& 

 

 

Fine, M., & Davidson, B. (2018). The marketization of care: Global challenges and national responses in Australia. Current Sociology, 66(4), 503-516. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392118765281

 

 

Fisher, M., Newton, C., & Sainsbury, E. (2021). Mental health social work observed. Routledge. DOIhttps://doi.org/10.4324/9781003193968

 

 

Fleming, A., & Mondon, A. (2018). The radical right in Australia. https://www.academia.edu/40698669/The_Radical_Right_in_Australia 

 

 

Gates, T. G., Bennett, B., & Yadav, R. (2021). Workplace friendships while teleworking during COVID-19: Experiences of social workers in Australia. International Social Work, 00208728211058774. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2019.1593957https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728211058774

 

 

Hughes, M., & Wearing, M. (2021). Organisations and management in social work: Everyday action for change. Sage. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310706226_Organisations_and_Management_in_Social_Work_Everyday_Action_for_Change_3rd_Edition 

 

 

Hunt, S., Staniforth, B., & Beddoe, L. (2019). Establishing the qualification criteria for social worker registration in Aotearoa New Zealand: Conflict and compromise. Social Work Education, 38(7), 894-907. 

 

 

Kranke, D., Mudoh, Y., Weiss, E. L., Hovsepian, S., Gin, J., Dobalian, A., & Der-Martirosian, C. (2022). ‘Emotional preparedness’: a nuanced approach to disaster readiness among social workers. Social Work Education, 41(5), 860-873. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2021.1900099

 

 

Sinclaire, M., Young, P., & Tilbury, C. (2022). Analysis of Employment Advertisements Requiring Working With Children Checks in Queensland, Australia. Australian Social Work, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2022.2043921

 

 

Vassos, S. (2019). Challenges Facing Social Work Field Education: Commentary on “Factors that impact a social worker’s capacity to supervise a student”(Hill, Cleak, Egan,

 

 

Ervin, & Laughton, 2019) and “Placement educators’ experiences and perspectives of supervising international social work students in Australia”(Ross, Ta, & Grieve, 2019). Australian Social Work, 72(2), 245-247. https://www.academia.edu/82223861/Challenges_Facing_Social_Work_Field_Education 

 

 

Walters, J. E., Brown, A. R., & Jones, A. E. (2018). Use of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory with social workers: A confirmatory factor analysis. Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership & Governance, 42(5), 437-456. https://doi.org/10.1080/23303131.2018.1532371