Reflections on a process model for international research collaboration in social work

Abstract

This article seeks to reflect on knowledge and experiences gained from an International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES). Challenges and opportunities inherent in the development and Downloaded from 2 International Social Work management of a large-scale international research project in social work are explored. Through a synthesis of conceptual frameworks a process model for international research collaboration is constructed based chiefly on the stages of group development, a conceptual framework for cross-national research, an interdisciplinary teamwork process and collaborative knowledge building. The five stages of the process model, namely forming, norming, storming, performing and adjourning and associated steps are connected by a practice of reflexivity.

Um pé dentro e um pé fora: refletindo sobre a colaboração científica internacional

“…Nos intercâmbios entre membros de redes em desenvolvimento ou existentes, há o risco de que qualquer um dos membros possa inadvertidamente desenvolver padrões de trabalho que coloquem em risco os padrões de trabalho existentes e, assim, ameacem sua capacidade ou a do grupo de capitalizar o potencial de trabalho conjunto. Isso pode ocorrer se não houver atenção e comprometimento suficientes com o processo de trabalho e relacionamentos (Engelbrecht et al, 2014). Quando os parceiros acadêmicos em potencial adotam uma perspectiva mais isolacionista por vários motivos, sejam eles econômicos, desinteresse pelo idioma ou expectativa de que outros devam liderar, isso pode resultar em perspectivas que estabelecem distinções entre colaborações nacionais e internacionais, embora tenha sido argumentado que essas distinções são porv vezes ilusórias (Lee, 2011).…”

NGOs IN SPAIN AND SOUTH AFRICA: IN THE LINE OF TWO FIRES

“…Through such state support and encouragement for the third sector, the local NGO environment grew rapidly in post-apartheid South Africa. By 2013 it was estimated that the South African NGO sector consisted of 72,000 registered organisations, and almost 50,000 non-registered, contributing to at least 30% of civil services (Engelbrecht & Strydom, 2015).…”

“…Thus, much like in South Africa, a partnership between the state and local NGOs was fostered in Spain through the delegation of the provision of many social services to the local NGOs in exchange for public funding on a contractual basis (Engelbrecht & Strydom, 2015;Martínez-Román, Mira-Perceval & Redero, 1996), resulting in a flourishing NGO sector. According to the Third Sector Platform for Social Action (2014), the social NGO sector in Spain represents some 29,000 private NGOs, employs 500,000 paid workers and has 900,000 volunteers.…”

Reflections and challenges of international social work research

“…Similar concerns and reflections may also apply to the social work profession. Thus, for individuals and the team (regional differences should be noted), pressure to create artefacts and to disseminate them would result from professional obligation or the need to demonstrate units of performance and output so that they could be audited (Shore and Wright, 1999;Shore, 2008;Engelbrecht et al, 2014). The complexity of language, culture and personal and organisational expectations are therefore significant pressures within and across the team, requiring debate and consideration.…”