The Effect of Organizational Environment on Case Manager Expertise: Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Organizational Commitment

Abstract

This purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of organizational environment on the case manager expertise and the mediating effect of organizational commitment. The subjects were 300 case managers among social workers working at three welfare centers for the elderly, disabled, and social welfare centers in Seoul. As general characteristics of case managers, gender, age, case management experience, job title, number of concentrated cases, and case management training were examined. Data analysis was conducted using frequency analysis, correlation analysis, Baron & Kenny's relation analysis, and Sobel test by applying SPSS 25.0. As a result of the study, it was statistically confirmed that there is a positive (+) correlation between the case manager's professionalism, organizational commitment, and organizational environment. As a result of the Sobel test analysis, the complete mediating effect of organizational commitment was confirmed, on the effect of the organizational environment on the professionalism of case managers. In terms of demographic characteristics, 30's, three and five years in case management experience, and five and ten years in institutional experience accounted for the highest proportions. The ratio of front-line social workers in position was the highest, and six or more cases yearly in the number of case management was the highest. Two to three cases or six cases or more in the number of intensive case management was similarly distributed. Based on these results, the importance of case manager expertise was recognized, and basic data were provided to establish an organizational environment response system for effective case management intervention, as well as to present an effective practice model.