The encounter between professional and cultural values of social workers in the Arab sector in Israel: dilemmas, difficulties and challenges

Translated title of the contribution: The encounter between professional and cultural values of social workers in the Arab sector in Israel: dilemmas, difficulties and challenges

Fathi Abu-Younnis, Amit Zriker, Anat Freund

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Social workers in the Arab sector in Israel have a unique set of commitments, in which alongside their organisational and professional commitments, they also have political commitment to mayors that is influenced by their cultural values. The political commitment tends to be characterised by political pressures, which could undermine social workers’ ability to fulfil their roles, and could lead to a conflict between professional and cultural values. The current research was conducted in order to examine this phenomenon, and was based upon 178 social workers employed in various social services in the Arab sector in Israel. Findings revealed negative correlation between social workers’ political and professional commitment. We also found positive correlation between social workers’ professional commitment and mayors’ transformational leadership style in which mayors are seen as effective leaders that allow social workers to feel obligated to shared goals. Two variables that systematically contributed to professional commitment were scope of employment and affective organisational commitment. Decision makers should acknowledge the unique dilemmas faced by social workers in social services in the Arab sector. They should also be aware to the positive impact of mayors’ transformational leadership on social workers’ professional commitment, since it could improve work performances.

Translated title of the contributionThe encounter between professional and cultural values of social workers in the Arab sector in Israel: dilemmas, difficulties and challenges
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)497-511
Number of pages15
JournalEuropean Journal of Social Work
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Professional commitment
  • cultural aspects of social services
  • organisational commitment
  • political commitment
  • transformational leadership

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Sociology and Political Science

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