Toward the Theory of Administrative Tethering: Re-thinking Child Welfare Training amid Rationally Bounded Administrative Decision-Making and Collaborative Governance Processes

Toward a Theory of Administrative Tethering is a seven-year study of collaboration in child protective services (CPS) that concludes with the identification of new research and its potential utility and impact for practitioners and academics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Toward a Theory of Administrative Tethering is the culmination of a seven-year commitment to investigate and explore the highly complex and chaotic nature of collaboration, specifically in child protective services (CPS). This journey began with an atypical relationship between a doctoral student practicing in CPS and an academic mentor. Examination of the CPS system in North Carolina necessitated more in-depth study to foster change relevant to improve service delivery for front-line staff and to engage executive leadership at the local and state levels. All CPS actors must function in a highly coordinated fashion to provide the orderly delivery of this social product to the public as needed and as expected. Herbert Simon's work is stitched into each chapter, and his perspectives provide the binding agent to the emerging Administrative Tethering (AT) framework (2002, 2000, 1962). Administrative Tethering (AT) can be conceptualized as a strategic management design that employs a series of inter-agency bonding actions and techniques to address the multi-dimensional nature of a complex, pressing public problem. This work concludes with the identification of new research and its potential utility and overall impact for the both the practitioner and academic.

Collaboration in child protective services (CPS) is a complex and chaotic domain that requires a deep understanding and exploration. This seven-year journey, initiated by an atypical relationship between a doctoral student and an academic mentor, aimed to unravel the intricacies of collaboration within CPS. The examination of the CPS system in North Carolina prompted a more in-depth study to foster meaningful change that would enhance service delivery for front-line staff and engage executive leadership at the local and state levels.

To achieve this, all CPS actors must work in a highly coordinated manner to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of this vital social product to the public. Herbert Simon's work serves as a guiding thread throughout this thesis, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of collaboration. Administrative Tethering (AT), as conceptualized in this thesis, is a strategic management design that employs a series of inter-agency bonding actions and techniques to address the multi-dimensional nature of complex public problems.

By leveraging AT, CPS agencies can effectively collaborate and coordinate their efforts to address pressing social issues. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of various stakeholders and seeks to create a shared understanding and commitment to problem-solving.

In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the understanding of administrative tethering in CPS by providing a comprehensive framework for collaboration and problem-solving. It highlights the importance of inter-agency bonding, strategic management, and collaborative efforts in addressing complex public problems. The identification of new research avenues opens up potential opportunities for further exploration and impact in the field of child protection.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793642943