Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
What models help us
to understand
collaborative
practice?
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
Objectives for this session:
• To outline two different theories - systems
theory and social exchange theory- to support
individuals in analysing and understanding the
context of practice;
• To reflect on the implications of these theories
for personal and professional practice;
• To outline a model of collaboration that assists
both the practice and analysis of collaborative
practice.
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
Systems theory – evolved from mechanical
and biological theory.
All organisms are systems, composed of
subsystems and are in turn part of super
systems, e.g. cars and ants!
“…something that maintains its existence and
functions as a whole through the
interaction of its parts”
(O’Conner and McDermott, 1997: 24).
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
Concepts about the structures of systems:
Systems are entities boundaries within
which physical and mental energy are
exchanged internally more than they are
across boundaries;
Closed systems have no interchange cross
the boundaries;
Open systems occur where energy
crosses the boundaries, which are
permeable.
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
Input – energy being fed into the system –
general and specific elements.
Transformation - how the energy is used
within the system.
Outputs – effect on the environment of
energy passed out through the boundaries of
a system.
Feedback – information and energy passed to
the system system across the boundaries.
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
Emphasis is on a social focus rather than on an
individual perspective.
Think about the social and personal elements in
any social situations
Elements interact with each other to integrate
into a “whole”.
Important principles and ideas that can be applied
to collaborative practice and to organisations.
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
What is its relevant in systems
theory to collaboration?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Interaction and interdependence.
‘Energy’ in the form of information.
Resources and services.
Interdependence of wholes
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
Social Exchange theory –a relationship
maintenance theory, which looks at how
people arrive at their decisions in
relationships.
Strong element of reciprocity, a calculation
of return; there is some element of self
interest in all instances of social exchange
and the incurring of obligation or
indebtedness.
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
Social Exchange theory explains how we feel
about a relationship with another person as
depending on our perceptions of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cost-benefit analysis
Power differences
The negotiation of expectations
Understanding of the roles and responsibilities
The kind of relationship we deserve
The chances of having a better relationship with someone
else
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
• Social exchanges are characterized
by inter- dependence;
• Social exchanges are regulated by
norms;
• Trust and commitment result from
the
emergent experiences;
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
A Model of Collaboration
(Whittington, 2003)
Five interconnected spheres
1. Service users and carers;
2. Personal;
3. Professional;
4. Team;
5. Organisational .
“SUPPORT”
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
Concepts drawn from the theories and
the model outlined:
• Attitude
• Knowledge
• Skills
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
“… (collaboration) depends on a
sufficient perception of what is
necessary, and what is to be
gained……the crucial perception for
interagency and interprofessional
collaboration is the recognition of
interdependence …”
(Loxley, 1997:41)
Working Across Organisations
Lecture 3
References
Abrams, P and Bulmer, M. (1986) "Neighbours, the work of Philip Abrams",
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Beresford, P. (2002) “Making User Involvement Real” Professional Social Work,
June, 16 –17.
Department of Health (2001) National Service Framework for Older People,
London: Stationery Office.
Loxley, A. (1997) Collaboration in Health and Welfare, London: Jessica Kingsley.
O’Conner, J. and McDermott, I. (1997) The Art of Systems Thinking London:
Thorsen
Scott J (1992) "Social Network Analysis", London: Sage
Travers, J. and Milgram, S. (1969) An experimental study of the small
world problem. Sociometry, 32, 425–443.
Whittington, C. (2003) A Model of Collaboration, In Weinstein, J.,
Whittington, C. and Leiba, T. (eds.) (2003) Collaboration in Social Work
Practice, London: Jessica Kingsley.