This article explores action theory, based on critical theory, as a
theoretical base for feminist social workers in management positions. Rather than emphasizing the technical aspects of management, action
theory focuses on introspection, the reflective use of the self, and
choices that are consistent with one's moral beliefs. Similarities be
tween action theory and feminist theory are presented to provide
feminist managers in patriarchal organizations with an understand
ing of how radical action is possible.
References
1.
Belenky, M. F., Clinchy, B. M., Goldberger, N. R., & Tarule, J. M. (1986). Women's ways of knowing. New York: Basic Books.
2.
Bennis, W., Benne, K., & Chin, R. (Eds.). (1976). The planning of change. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
3.
Bernstein, R. J. (1978). The restructuring of social and political theory. Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press.
4.
Bolan, R. (1971). The social relations of the planner. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 37(6), 386-396.
5.
Bolan, R. (1974). Mapping the planning theory terrain. In D. Godschalk, (Ed.), Planning in America: Learning from turbulance (pp.13-34). Washington, DC: American Institute of Planners.
6.
Bolan, R. (1979). Planning theory as action theory. Paper presented at the 21st annual conference of the Association of the Collegiate Schools of Planning , Baltimore, MD.
7.
Bolan, R. (1980). The practitioner as theorist: The phenomenology of the professional episode. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 46(3), 261-274.
8.
Chernesky, R. (1987). Book Review , Affilia, 2(1), 61-64.
9.
Cohler, B. (1988, December). The human studies and the life history: Social science review lecture. Social Science Review, 552-575.
10.
Davis, L. (1985). Female and male voices in social work. Social Work, 30(2), 106-113.
11.
Dean, R., & Fenby, B. L. (1989). Exploring epistemologies: Social work action as a reflection of philosophical assumptions. Journal of Social Work Education, 25(1), 46-54.
12.
Denhardt, R., & Perkins, J. (1978). The coming of death of administrative man. In F. Lang (Ed.), Current issues in public administration (pp. 184-191). New York: St. Martin's.
13.
Etzioni, A. (1968). The active society. New York: Free Press.
14.
Ferguson, K. (1984). The feminist case against bureaucracy. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
15.
Forester,J. (1980). Critical theory and planning practice. Journal of the American Planning Association, 46(3), 275-286.
16.
Forester, J. (1982). Planning in the face of power. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 48(1), 67-80.
17.
Forester, J. (n.d.). Requirements for theory of planning practice. Unpublished manuscript, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
18.
Friedmann, J. (1973). Retracking America: A theory of transactive planning. Garden City, NY: Doubleday Anchor.
19.
Friedmann, J., & Hudson, B. (1974). Knowledge and action: A guide to planning theory. Journal of the American Institute of Planners , 40(3), 2-16.
20.
Giddens, A. (1979). Central problems in social theory. Berkeley: University of California Press.
21.
Giddens, A. (1984). The constitution of society. Berkeley: University of California Press.
22.
Giddens, A. (1985). Jurgen Habermas . In Q. Skinner (Ed.), The return of grand theory in the human sciences (pp. 121-140). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
23.
Gould, K. (1987). Life model versus conflict model: A feminist perspective. Social Work , 32(4), 346-352.
24.
Habermas, J. (1971). Knowledge and human interests. Boston: Beacon .
25.
Hooyman, N., & Cunningham, R. (1986). An alternative administrative style . In N. Van Den Bergh & L. B. Cooper (Eds.), Feminist visions for social work (pp. 163-186). Silver Spring, MD: National Association of Social Workers.
26.
Imre, R. (1982). Knowing and caring. Latham, MD: University Press of America.
27.
Merton, R. (1982). Social research and the practicing professions. Cambridge, MA: Abt.
28.
Perlmutter, F. (1987). Book review . Administration in Social Work, 11, 95-97.
29.
Rein, M. (1983). From policy to practice. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe.
30.
Richards, M., & Nielander, W. (1974). Readings in management. Cincinnati, OH: South-Western.
31.
Sacks, K. (1983, April). Networking: When potluck is political. Ms., 11, pp. 97-98.
32.
Scott, D. (1989, March). Meaning construction and social work practice. Social Science Review , 41-50.
33.
Spivak, G. (1987). In other worlds: Essays in cultural politics. New York: Methuen.
34.
Taylor, M. (1987). AltΔrity . Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
35.
Van DenBergh, N., & Cooper, L. B. (1986). Introduction. In N. Van Den Bergh & L. B. Cooper (Eds.), Feminist visions for social work (pp. 1-28). Silver Spring, MD: National Association of Social Workers.
36.
Warren, R. (1977). Social change and human purpose: Toward understanding and action. Chicago : Rand McNally.