Contends that case managers engage in the practice of management. Employs Mintzberg's seminal research on chief executive behavior to argue that case managers' work is similarly characterized by brevity, variety, and fragmentation. Notes that case managers perform the 10 roles developed by Mintzberg. Describes roles and presents case managers'…

Social workers in generic practice are often uncertain about which social work method is most appropriate for a given case. This article suggests that evaluating role discrepancies can help practitioners determine whether to work toward personal or situational changes with clients. (Author)

Suggests that social work's dual focus on the individual transacting with the environment has been underdeveloped by the profession. An array of interrelated formulations from social work and elsewhere reinforces, however, the importance of such center-moving ideas. Discusses these formulations and their impact on the profession's future…

Discusses two modes of thinking about ethics developed by Carol Gilligan. Argues that Gilligan's modes of thought (responsibility and rights) correspond to two ideals of social work practice: a rights perspective, based on liberal individualism, and a needs perspective, based on nineteenth century Christian virtue. (JAC)

Reviews the development of social work views about the person-environment interface as an evolutionary process. Charges that Fischer's criticism of theory and of pressing for rank empiricism and an emphasis on technique as a basis for practice is a sure way to social work's demise as a knowledge-based profession. (JAC)