Integrating Management Concepts into Human Service Organizations: A Suggestion
for Using Student Produced Video to Understand Morgan’s Metaphors
Andrew S. Quinn, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of North Dakota
Patrick L. Schultz
University of North Dakota
ABSTRACT: This paper presents a framework for developing a constructivist learning assignment for students in management and human services classes. Students collaborate to construct an understanding of Morgan’s metaphors of organizations, and produce a video newsroom story that compares the mechanistic views of agencies to one of four rival metaphors. We provide suggestions for developing, implementing, and assessing the student-produced video.
Introduction
Management and organization theory emerged, with inspiration from disciplines such as economics, sociology, psychology, and engineering, to explain the structure and processes occurring within organizations and the nature of the relations among organization members, and provide prescriptions for effective management. In fact, the need to understand how management works in agencies is important for the student of any human service discipline. For example, students of human service disciplines will often find themselves occupying supervisory and management positions in social agencies and becoming involved in the organizations functioning (Netting, Kettner, and McMurtry, 1993). By studying management theory and examining the nature of work in organizations students gain valuable insights into the workings of human service organizations.
One method of learning about organizations and management is through the study of metaphors. Metaphors promote learning by linking different images symbolically. Students gain knowledge about a new concept through its similarity to another, and thereby create meaning around that concept. When studying abstract concepts, student comprehension arises when theory is connected to more concrete understandings of other more familiar concepts. Furthermore, instructors can create assignments that allow students to apply their understanding of the metaphors to agencies and organizations.
One such assignment is to have the students produce videos that depict agencies and organizations by way of the metaphors. With today’s technology, students can create and produce their own video. The cost of video cameras and video making software has become affordable and consumer friendly. Software is available that offers easy to use interfaces in which students can dive right in and create sophisticated cinema.