Absorptive capacity in child welfare: measurement challenges and item development. Issue 4 (8th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Afkinich, Jenny L.; Winters, Andrew M.; Gopalan, Geetha; Bright, Charlotte Lyn
• Is Part Of: Journal of public child welfare. Volume 13:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 379
• Page End: 400
• Publication Date: 2019-08-08
• Subjects: Absorptive capacity -- measurement -- evidence-based practices; Child welfare -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.70973
• DOI: 10.1080/15548732.2018.1508536
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1554-8732

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Promoting successful implementation of evidence-based practices within child welfare agencies necessitates accurately measuring absorptive capacity (i.e., the ability to acquire, assimilate, transform, and exploit knowledge) through valid and reliable assessment. However, a measurement tool does not exist for child welfare agencies. As such, this exploratory study identified existing measures and items relevant to absorptive capacity in child welfare. The study resulted in 12 identified measures, comprising 98 applicable items. This research is a first step toward creating a measure for use in child welfare settings that will guide practice and administration decisions through valid measurement.