PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN MAINLAND CHINA

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores the relationships between social workers’ traits, professional identification, shared vision, job satisfaction and professional commitment in Mainland China. The study proposes that six traits of servant leaders, namely Commitment, Humility, Resilience, Integrity, Service and Teamwork, are essential for social workers. Methodology: These six specific traits form a broad framework of traits of social workers, which has a significant association with social workers’ shared vision and other outcomes. A questionnaire was developed and validated with Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The hypotheses in the study were all supported by the Structural Equation Model. Findings: The analysis showed that the traits of social workers have a significant positive effect on all other variables directly or indirectly through shared vision and identification of professionalism as intervening variables. Shared vision and identification with professionalism directly affect job commitment, respectively. Additionally, shared vision also has significant direct effects on job satisfaction which in turn affects commitment. These findings can cast light on the importance of traits of social workers and shared vision, which can positively affect social workers’ identification with their professionalism and effective performance. Applications: Essential Traits of social workers identified in this study may apply to the identification of potential social workers. The development of shared vision and traits of social workers are important strategies for improving the quality of service and retention of social workers.