HKIER

Abstract

This study examines the format, purpose, relationship, use of authority, and ideal of social work supervision in the cultural context of Hong Kong. A grounded theory approach was used to explore the experiences and views of local supervisors and supervisees, the participants in seven focus groups and forty in-depth interviews, to construct a cultural model within the local context of Hong Kong.

It was found that the format of supervision in Hong Kong is relatively loose. Written agendas and supervisory contracts are seldom used. Both supervisors and supervisees view successful client outcomes as the major purpose of supervision, but supervisors see the process as a rational and systematic tool for safeguarding the standard and quality of service, whereas supervisees hope that supervision will provide emotional support and foster teamwork.

The supervisory relationship is both personal and professional. Tension is reduced by the traditional Chinese cultural values of reciprocity: qing, yuan, and “face.” The use of supervisory authority reflects the political strategy of the British–Hong Kong government — “consensus by consultation and consent” — which was used to reduce conflict and gain acceptance. Supervisory practice in Hong Kong is a combination of, and compromise between, the North American concept, the British system, and the Chinese culture. Four major cultural themes were identified, namely time perspective, concept of space, value orientation, and attitudes. Implications for practice, research, and education were also discussed.

摘要

本研究檢視在香港文化裏，社會工作督導的形式、目標、關係、權力運用和理想方式，並運用紮根理論（Grounded Theory）及7個焦點小組和40個深入面談，探討本地督導者與被導者的經驗和看法，從而建構香港本土的文化模式。

香港的督導方式較北美鬆散，白紙黑字的議程和督導契約很少派上用場。無論督導者及被導者皆視成功疏解案主的問題為督導目標。然而，督導者視督導歷程為理性及有系統的工具，以保證服務質素；被導者則盼望督導能帶來情緒支援，提升團隊協作。

督導關係是既個人又專業的；中國文化價值中的相互關係──包括「情」、「緣」及「面子」，能減輕關係的緊張。督導權力的運用正好反映港英政府「從諮詢和同意中達致共識」的政治策略，藉以減少衝突和增加認受。

香港的督導實踐是北美概念、英式制度和中華文化和衷共濟的結果。本文認定了督導中的四個主要文化課題（包括時間、空間、價值取向、態度），並討論它們對督導實踐、研究和培訓的影響。