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21 – 30 of over 46000Virpi Timonen and Martha Doyle
Care of older persons in their own homes has in recent years received much attention in Ireland. The proponents of domiciliary care draw on both economic and quality of life…
Abstract
Purpose
Care of older persons in their own homes has in recent years received much attention in Ireland. The proponents of domiciliary care draw on both economic and quality of life arguments, many of which are identifiable in policy documents since the 1950s. However, little detailed analysis of the evolution of the formal care services for older persons, and the shift in emphasis from institutional to domiciliary care, has been presented. The paper aims to focus on the issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Using archival, administrative and policy sources, the authors traced the changing nature of formal care policies in Ireland, and analysed changes in key organising principles and features, including subsidiarity, the role of the Church and the basis of entitlements (residual vs universal).
Findings
The first type of formal care to emerge was institutional, and did not adhere to the subsidiarity principle as it was mostly delivered by the State. Subsidiarity came to the fore more clearly with the establishment of the earliest home care services by religious and voluntary organisations. The current trend towards cash‐for‐care (home care packages) is arguably a modern‐day manifestation of the arm's length attitude that the subsidiarity principle recommends the State take.
Research limitations/implications
The fact that care services are increasingly delivered by private sector companies and informal carers operating in the grey market increases the complexity of the care regime and therefore makes the task of developing social care regime classifications more complicated; it also means that regulation of the care sector in Ireland is a particularly urgent task that is yet to be undertaken in a comprehensive manner.
Practical implications
The policy challenges involved in attempts to regulate the complex care mix are considerable.
Originality/value
The paper utilises both historical methods and policy analysis to highlight the changing meaning of key concepts such as subsidiarity.
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Helen Dickinson and Colette Neal
The need for joint working between statutory and non‐statutory bodies is an important component of policy across the UK. While it is something that governments push for, it has…
Abstract
The need for joint working between statutory and non‐statutory bodies is an important component of policy across the UK. While it is something that governments push for, it has not always been delivered effectively in practice. This paper reports on a project that sought to bring together statutory, voluntary and community sector bodies to help improve and strengthen the planning and commissioning of services from the third sector to support health and social care needs. The model was intended to provide planners with a single reference point for procurement of service packages from a combination of statutory, independent and third‐sector organisations for specific regional and local service‐user groups. We report on the experience of the first 18 months of this project, indicating that the project has been highly successful in the eyes of a range of stakeholders. Stakeholders from a range of backgrounds were far more positive about the experience than the literature would predict to be the case. Outcomes monitoring suggests that service users were far more independent and had seen improvements on a range of dimensions. The paper finishes by formulating suggestions for the factors which seem to have contributed to its success.
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Ismail Karabas and Jeff Joireman
Non-voluntary tipping (e.g. automatic gratuity) has received growing attention in the service industry. Existing research suggests customers respond unfavorably to non-voluntary…
Abstract
Purpose
Non-voluntary tipping (e.g. automatic gratuity) has received growing attention in the service industry. Existing research suggests customers respond unfavorably to non-voluntary tipping, yet little research has examined why. The current study aims to address this question, with particular interest in response to non-voluntary tipping under high-quality service.
Design/methodology/approach
Two scenario-based experiments tested the proposed hypotheses in between-participants design using ANOVA, hierarchical regression and PROCESS.
Findings
Study 1 showed that non-voluntary tipping resulted in higher negative emotions, which led to lower return intentions. Surprisingly, the negative effect of non-voluntary tipping was as strong (or stronger) under high (vs low) quality service. To understand this counterintuitive effect, Study 2 developed and tested two competing process models (i.e. blocked vengeance vs blocked gratitude). Supporting the blocked gratitude model, results revealed that non-voluntary tipping hinders customers’ ability to reward service employees, undermining positive emotions and lowering return intentions.
Research limitations/implications
Current work was conducted in two settings using two scenario-based experiments. Hence, additional settings with non-scenario-based studies are encouraged.
Practical implications
The present work cautions managers considering a move to non-voluntary tipping to be aware of its negative effects, especially when the service quality is high. The blocked gratitude model suggests that managers should clarify methods available for customers who wish to reward good service.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to examine customer response to non-voluntary tipping under different levels of service quality and the underlying emotional mechanisms.
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The purpose of this study is to explore and understand the influence of servant leadership on volunteers' commitment working in the voluntary sector in war zones.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore and understand the influence of servant leadership on volunteers' commitment working in the voluntary sector in war zones.
Design/methodology/approach
With a qualitative research design, participants were 16 volunteers from a servant-leadership-led charity who took part in three focus groups.
Findings
Results of the present study revealed that (1) the effectiveness of servant leadership in the war environment lies in creating hope, and (2) the overlap between personal ethics of servant leaders and flexible policies in addition to a set of attributes such as honesty; social awareness; listening; a sense of responsibility; emotion; altruism; patience; and leading without power represent the primary reasons that influence volunteers' commitment during war times.
Research limitations/implications
Research data was conducted during the war on Syria, which has negative implications not only on the participants, but also on the way they responded to questions.
Practical implications
This paper explores and attempts to understand the influence of servant leadership on volunteers' commitment working in the voluntary sector in war zones, which can shed light on the importance of servant leadership behavior in the voluntary sector during postwar and reconstruction periods.
Originality/value
The study offers data and interpretation regarding servant leadership and its positive outcome in war zones, which can be used as a foundation for future studies in war zones.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent and impact of customer-oriented norms on employment relations in voluntary sector social care, within the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent and impact of customer-oriented norms on employment relations in voluntary sector social care, within the context of personalisation. Self-Directed Support (SDS) is premised on the notion that customer-led care enhances autonomy among service users and therefore improves quality of life, and additionally, gives employees more discretion in their work. However, by attempting to improve quality of service without additional funding – and in many instances, with funding cuts – it can be argued that SDS is in practice effectively attempts to achieve “more-for-less.” This paper examines the effect of this dynamic on employment relations, using the organisation as the unit of analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the existing literature on personalisation and SDS, and positions it alongside the sociology of service work. Particular focus is given to Korczynski's notion of Customer-Oriented Bureaucracies (COB). Data collection took place in four comprehensive case studies, comprised of fifty-five semi-structured interviews overall and a benchmarking survey of each.
Findings
Findings demonstrate that the influence of customer-oriented norms only affected certain features of the employment relationship, and tended to result from pressures other than service users, such as organisational strategy or funding constraints. In consequence, none of the individual case studies fit the description of COB in its absolute form. Instead, what can be observed is a strong pattern of influence across specific dimensions of the employment relationship. In relation to policies and procedures, the impact of customer-oriented norms was experienced in 70% of instances, 83.3% of incidences pertaining to terms and conditions, and 85.7% of incidences pertaining to work organisation.
Research limitations/implications
The data itself is limited to fifty-five interviews across four case studies, and so only gives a “snapshot” of employee relations within the sector. Further research would be advantageous to address these issues geographically and temporally.
Practical implications
Firstly, it contributes academically to existing bodies of literature on both voluntary sector social care and the sociology of service work. Secondly, it provides practitioners with analysis of the issues that accompany personalisation, and how adopting customer-oriented norms impacts the employment relationship. Thirdly, it demonstrates to legislators and commissioners that existing shortfalls in funding are compensated for by the above-and-beyond efforts of those who work in the sector, and that this is an increasingly untenable situation.
Social implications
This paper sheds much needed light onto employment relations in the doubly under-researched areas of voluntary sector social care in Scotland. It attempts to aid employee relations pertaining to the often low paid social care workforce, and the care of service users who include the most vulnerable in society. By identifying potential issues pertaining to employee relations, it seeks to avoid future disruptions to service provision which could have adverse effects on organisations, employees, and service users.
Originality/value
This paper makes a theoretical and conceptual contribution by utilising the sociology of service work as a means of better understanding employment relations in voluntary sector social care. It compares the impact of customer-oriented norms across four distinctly different service provision types Furthermore, the segmenting of findings across three key areas of employment relations allows for a systematic analysis which pinpoints the presence and extent of customer-oriented norms and their influence on the employment relationship.
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Dominic Joannou, Mina Fernando, Carol Harrison‐Read and Nisha Wickramasinghe
The purpose of this paper is to explore models of community outreach to BME and faith communities in the London Borough of Harrow.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore models of community outreach to BME and faith communities in the London Borough of Harrow.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper explores community outreach with a specific emphasis on the delivery of community mental health services through partnership working with BME faith groups.
Findings
The paper considers models of community outreach to BME and faith communities and explores the impacts of service cuts and the emerging Big Society agenda on BME and faith groups.
Practical implications
Having identified some of the challenges that exist, solutions are proposed that can help to enhance the likelihood of achieving funding through delivering flexible innovative models of working which play to pre‐existing strengths.
Originality/value
At a time of service cutbacks when people are increasingly reliant on locally based BME communities to provide essential services, the role of information provision and basic training is critical in delivering culturally accessible and tailored services.
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Claire Dickinson, Chiara Lombardo, Pauline Pearson, Di Barnes and Di Bailey
This paper gives a picture of the development of four new roles in mental health over a two‐year period. It draws on data from the national mapping project to provide a unique…
Abstract
This paper gives a picture of the development of four new roles in mental health over a two‐year period. It draws on data from the national mapping project to provide a unique perspective on the emergence of the roles of support, time and recovery workers, gateway workers, carer support workers and community development workers for black and minority ethnic communities. The tracking of such roles on a national level reveals a number of issues, in particular the need for clarity of terms if there is to be an undisputed understanding of what mental health services are provided and by whom.
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Anders la Cour and Holger Højlund
Purpose – To analyze the emergence of new organizational forms in the Danish welfare sector.Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on Niklas Luhmann and Gunther Teubner, the…
Abstract
Purpose – To analyze the emergence of new organizational forms in the Danish welfare sector.
Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on Niklas Luhmann and Gunther Teubner, the research analyzes governmental documents, policy programs, action plans, and strategic documents.
Findings – A partnering structure has emerged with a new politics of voluntarism, complex forms of integration and new imaginary distinctions between voluntariness and public care. This can usefully be conceptualized as aspects of the stabilization of a “third-order system.” The research identified a number of different managerial strategies for involvement in the system.
Practical and social implications – Social welfare has become a mix of public and civil society values and norms, and extensive resources have been invested from both governmental and nongovernmental sides to build up shared competences for the new forms of partnering-based organization. However, to act according to the new principles of partnering, at the strategic and managerial level, the voluntary organizations have to behave in a schizophrenic manner – as both individual organizations and cooperational partners within the system.
Research implications – The concept of “third-order system” is especially useful in analyzing mixed forms of management in the welfare sector.
Originality – Different forms of radical organizational analysis are combined to develop a notion of “third-order system” in the welfare sector.
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Sometimes an issue can remain dormant for a long period of time before receiving governmental and legislative attention. Debate on corporate governance has coincided with a number…
Abstract
Sometimes an issue can remain dormant for a long period of time before receiving governmental and legislative attention. Debate on corporate governance has coincided with a number of measures impacting on the charitable sector which, taken together, have the effect of bringing about improvements in the overall corporate governance climate for the charity, and re‐inforcing the centrality of the charity as an important instrument of social policy. The aim of this article is to explore this battery of measures, their historical context, and the varying fortunes of the charitable sector in its social policy role.
This paper seeks to examine the practice of human resource management (HRM) in the UK voluntary sector. In recent years many voluntary sector organisations have experienced a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to examine the practice of human resource management (HRM) in the UK voluntary sector. In recent years many voluntary sector organisations have experienced a changing context, where they have become increasingly involved in contracting for the provision of publicly funded services. This paper examines the suggestion made by a number of commentators that as a result the government has exercised influence over the way in which human resources are managed in this sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses data from the Workplace Employment Relations Survey 2004 (WERS 2004) to examine HRM practice in the voluntary sector and compares this with the public and private sectors.
Findings
The findings show that most voluntary sector organisations have adopted performance‐oriented HR practices, communication and involvement schemes, and welfare‐oriented practices. This suggests a departure from the relatively unsophisticated HRM that has traditionally been found in the voluntary sector and which may be as a result of the influence of government on HRM standards in the sector.
Research limitations/implications
Future research, which adopts a longitudinal approach, would allow the impact of government influence on HRM practices in the voluntary sector to be examined in more depth.
Originality/value
This paper represents a rare examination of HRM practice across a wide range of voluntary sector organisations and provides insight into the potential influence of government on HRM in the sector.
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