Professional identity construction among social work agencies

Abstract

Summary Social work agencies in China are encountering issues like lack of social perception, social recognition, and public participation and insufficient competitiveness of their professional services. To discuss solutions to these problems, this study adopts a different perspective than existing studies, focusing on professional identity construction among social work agencies. It provides an effective theoretical framework that includes value, contextual, and symbolic identity construction embedded in the Chinese administrative institution. Findings Positive and negative factors influencing the construction of professional cultural, status, and brand identity among social work agencies and approaches are identified. In the context of government purchasing of public services, the professional cultural identity of Chinese social work agencies can integrate with traditional Chinese culture and Western social work values to enhance the cultural consciousness and introspection of agencies. Professional status identity helps agencies access government resources and establish professional authority. Professional brand identity can increase the identification of the agencies under the political features of party construction. The combination of the three can promote the development of Chinese social work. Applications Professional identity construction offers a new perspective to improve the credibility, competitiveness, and public recognition of social work agencies in China to attract social participation and perform the function of social governance more effectively. Social organizations can improve their professional status and brand identities by refining their professional cultural and promotional systems, fostering the development of institutional credibility, and cultivating professional service projects.