Show simple item record

dc.contributor.authorAubry, Christine G.
dc.date.accessioned2022-07-11 13:46:02 (GMT)
dc.date.available2022-07-11 13:46:02 (GMT)
dc.date.issued1998
dc.date.submitted1998
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10012/18433
dc.description.abstractAs a volunteer with Planned Parenthood Waterloo Region (PPWR), I observed an organization that was providing services in a feminist context. PPWR is a feminist organization: a goal of the agency is to reduce gender power differences. Further, PPWR's participants work within an atmosphere of consensus and support. Because PPWR adheres to central feminist values and principles, some feminist organization theorists would argue that PPWR could, and should, follow the model of feminist consensual organizing. However, PPWR is also a service organization (like many bureaucratic organizations). The goals of the organization make structure and hierarchy necessary for goal achievement. In this thesis, I examine how PPWR reconciles the need for structure and hierarchy with feminist values and principles. The goal of this research is to examine what is unique about PPWR's organizational structure. This was an exploratory case study. My position as an insider with the organization allowed for qualitative data collection through participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Using organizational models found in traditional and feminist organization theory, I examine the organizational characteristics of PPWR. I explore the reasons why PPWR is hierarchically structured despite adherence to feminist principles. I also look at some of the dilemmas of consensual organizing practice which are particularly relevant to service organizations. Although PPWR is becoming increasingly structured, I argue that the organization is not likely to experience goal displacement. I examine internal and external characteristics of the organization which reinforce participants' commitment to organizational goals. The controversial nature of PPWR's services and the organization's social movement orientation counter-balance the problems which some feminists have attributed to the traditional bureaucracy.en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherUniversity of Waterlooen
dc.subjectPlanned Parenthooden
dc.subjectbureaucracyen
dc.subjectfeminismen
dc.titlePlanned Parenthood Waterloo Region: Adapting Feminist Organization Theory to Daily Practiceen
dc.typeMaster Thesisen
dc.pendingfalse
uws-etd.degree.departmentSociology and Legal Studiesen
uws-etd.degree.disciplineSociologyen
uws-etd.degree.grantorUniversity of Waterlooen
uws-etd.degreeMaster of Artsen
uws-etd.embargo.terms0en
uws.contributor.advisorBurt, Sandra
uws.contributor.affiliation1Faculty of Artsen
uws.published.cityWaterlooen
uws.published.countryCanadaen
uws.published.provinceOntarioen
uws.typeOfResourceTexten
uws.peerReviewStatusUnrevieweden
uws.scholarLevelGraduateen


Files in this item

Thumbnail

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record


UWSpace

University of Waterloo Library
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4883

All items in UWSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved.

DSpace software

Service outages