Leadership Studies Commons^™

The Environment And Change: Leadership And The Role Of Middle Management In A Correctional Agency, John M. Menke

Theses and Graduate Projects

Middle managers possess technical knowledge and awareness important to public policy formulation and environmental interaction, which is a predominant source of change for the organization. As an organization, Hill County Correction Departrnent's bureaucratic structure is ill-suited to respond to its complex and unstable environmen. Yet this structure is explained because HCCD is a public organization directly accountable to external bodies; its services are ambiguously defined and interpreted; and its environment hostile. This structure encourages a reactive rather than proactive position for the organization with the environment. Hierarchical structure, role obligation, and uncertainty promote risk-aversive activities by middle managers through remaining …