Enhancing the Collective Psychological Ownership of Young Adult Social Workers in Chinese Organizational Contexts: A Recognition Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT Informed by the recognition theory conceptualized by Axel Honneth, this study examined collective psychological ownership (CPO) and mis(recognition) perceived and experienced by young adult social workers (YASWs) aged 21–29. Using thematic analysis, the study thoroughly examined 16 transcripts collected from individual interviews and three focus group transcripts. The findings revealed that 1) recognition from different sources may foster a sense of commitment and encourage continued contributions among YASWs; (2) the effects of various forms of social recognition, including care/support, respect, and social esteem, on CPO may vary depending on different features of the recognition; (3) misrecognition encountered by YASWs on various levels in organizational contexts, including deprivation of care/support, undermining of agency, and diminution of esteem, may harm their CPO; and (4) social recognition can influence YASWs’ career planning, and excessive dependence on social recognition may have negative consequences for their CPO. The findings of this study also showed the constraining effects of contextual factors such as policy shortcomings, excessive workloads, and dynamics among stakeholders on the exercise and power of (mis)recognition. This study sheds light on the development of recognition-based human resources strategies in social service organizational contexts, with the aim of fostering a work climate characterized by sharedness.