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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
06:48
The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior
Published on: January 19, 2019
When goals diverge: Staff consensus and the organizational climate
Gerald Melnick1, Wendy R Ulaszek, Hsiu-Ju Lin
1Center for the Integration of Research & Practice, National Development & Research Institutes Inc., New York, NY 10010, USA. melnick@ndri.org
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|December 23, 2008
Summary
Consensus on rehabilitation beliefs among prison staff was linked to positive outcomes like commitment. However, high consensus also correlated with job frustration and cynicism, suggesting a complex relationship within correctional organizations.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Organizational Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Organizational culture significantly influences institutional effectiveness, particularly in correctional settings.
- Conflicting organizational goals can impact staff morale and perceptions of rehabilitation.
- Understanding staff consensus on rehabilitation is crucial for assessing organizational climate and potential for change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between staff consensus on rehabilitation beliefs and organizational culture in prisons.
- To examine how consensus on rehabilitation interacts with organizational climate and commitment.
- To investigate the role of consensus in the context of divergent organizational goals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Criminal Justice Treatment Practices Survey.
- Employed hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to analyze staff consensus (standard deviation of beliefs).
- Examined associations between belief consensus and organizational commitment, coordination, job frustration, and cynicism.
Main Results:
- Higher mean scores for belief in rehabilitation correlated with increased organizational commitment and interdepartmental coordination.
- High staff consensus on rehabilitation beliefs was associated with greater job frustration and cynicism.
- High consensus also showed a negative association with organizational commitment.
Conclusions:
- Staff consensus on rehabilitation beliefs plays a complex role in shaping organizational climate within correctional institutions.
- The degree of consensus can influence perceptions of change and staff well-being, even amidst conflicting goals.
- Findings suggest that consensus should be considered when evaluating the impact of organizational climate on change initiatives.
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