Toward a More Adequate Concept of Organization in Social Work Practice Theory

A generic model of social work practice requires the formulation of frameworks that indicate what is meant by intervention at the organizational level. Usually organization is put at some midpoint in a hierarchy of social levels (such as individual, small group, organization, local community, society). However, when one looks at the various social work practice frameworks, there is very little development of knowledge about the process of intervention at this mid-level. Since the macro levels of community and society can probably be best conceptualized as inter-organizational arenas, social work practice knowledge for these levels is also hindered. This article intends to look at what some practice frameworks say about organizational intervention and also what these frameworks assume about organizations. From this beginning exploratory analysis, a direction for practice theory is indicated that can move toward a more adequate practice theory for intervention at the organizational level