NCJ Number
38450
Editor(s)
J MUNRO
Date Published
1976
Length
605 pages
Annotation
A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES DEALING WITH VARIOUS ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH IS PRESENTED, EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EMPIRICAL BASIS FOR SUCH RESEARCH.
Abstract
THE BODY OF LITERATURE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT HAS INCREASED GREATLY; HOWEVER, MUCH OF IT LACKS A SOLID EMPIRICAL BASE. THE GOAL OF THIS COLLECTION IS TO ASSIST MANAGERS IN GRASPING THE POTENTIAL FOR RESEARCH IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT, HELP THEM TO SEE THE GREAT AMOUNT OF MANAGEMENT RESEARCH THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN POLICE ADMINISTRATION, AND ENCOURAGE RESEARCHERS TO PURSUE FURTHER WORK IN OTHER AREAS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. THE FIRST TOPIC CONSIDERED IN THE COLLECTION IS THAT OF IDEOLOGY VERSUS REALITY -- TRANSLATING VARIOUS IDEOLOGIES INTO PRACTICAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. VARIOUS POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES WITH RESPECT TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE ARE EXAMINED, ALONG WITH THEIR CONSEQUENCES FOR THE SYSTEM'S OPERATION. A SECTION CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD TO MANAGEMENT RESEARCH INCLUDES DISCUSSIONS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GENERAL THEORY TO SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS, THE RELATIONSHIP OF SCIENCE TO TECHNOLOGY AND POLICYMAKING, AND THE ROLE OF SCIENCE AS A FRAMEWORK FOR THE ANALYSIS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR. THE POSSIBILITIES OF OPEN SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AS A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE STUDY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT ARE EXPLAINED, REJECTING TRADITIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL CONCEPTS WHICH OBSTRUCT PROGRESS IN THE FIELD. THREE ARTICLES DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF RACISM AND SOCIAL CLASS AND THEIR RELATION TO MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE. FIELD. OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES PARTICULARLY MANAGERIAL HUMAN RELATIONS DIFFICULTIES, STEM FROM PERSONALITY CONFLICTS. TWO ARTICLES DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PERSONALITIES OF POLICE OFFICERS FROM A RESEARCH POINT OF VIEW. ANOTHER PRESENTS A CRITIQUE OF METHODS FOR DEALING WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS. DISCUSSIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY IN GENERAL AND POLICE ORGANIZATION IN PARTICULAR QUESTION THEIR VALIDITY ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY DO NOT ADEQUATELY CONSIDER THE REALITY OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR; IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ALTERNATIVES TO HIERARCHICAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR MODERN ORGANIZATIONS. FURTHER DISCUSSIONS OF ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE POINT OUT THE POSITIVE FUNCTIONS OF HIERARCHIES; OTHERS PRESENT DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE ANALYSIS OF AN ORGANIZATION'S STRUCTURE. ANALYSES OF THE CONCEPT OF USING SMALL PRIMARY WORK GROUPS TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE WORKER MOTIVATION ARE PRESENTED WHICH URGE REAPPRAISAL OF THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN THE ALLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF POWER WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION. CONSIDERATIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT NECESSITY OF MAKING AGENCIES' OPERATIONS MORE DEMOCRATIC WITHOUT A LOSS OF EFFICIENCY ARE PRESENTED, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON POLICE AGENCIES. THE CONCEPT OF PROFESSIONALIZATION WITH REGARD TO THE POLICE IS DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH ITS STRUCTURAL AND ATTITUDINAL ASPECTS. FINALLY, THE TERMS 'PLANNING AND EVALUATION' AND THEIR CONNOTATIONS ARE SYSTEMICALLY EXPLORED. DISCUSSION MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER, AND TOPICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (VDA)