| ISSN: | 1640-1808 |
RESEARCH PAPER
The great divide: state vs municipality in local welfare administration in Norway
1
Institute of Social Work, Child Welfare, and Social Policy, OsloMet, Norway
Submission date: 2023-06-16
Final revision date: 2023-09-20
Acceptance date: 2023-10-05
Online publication date: 2024-02-01
Publication date: 2024-02-01
Corresponding author
Kjetil Wathne
IInstitute of Social Work, Child Welfare, and Social Policy, OsloMet, Norway, OsloMet, Steensberggaten 26, 0130, OSLO, Norway
IInstitute of Social Work, Child Welfare, and Social Policy, OsloMet, Norway, OsloMet, Steensberggaten 26, 0130, OSLO, Norway
Problemy Polityki Społecznej 2024;65(2):1-19
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
administrationdemocracywelfaresocial economyempowermentsocial capitalculturelocal social policywelfare regimes and social policy modelssocial citizenshipwelfare statesocial policysocial worksociology of organizationspublic authorities
ABSTRACT
This study delves into the intricate internal dynamics of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), tasked with delivering comprehensive welfare services through state-municipal partnerships. While NAV's mandate promotes empowered local offices and holistic services, realising this can present significant challenges.
Our ongoing research focuses on an organisational development process within a NAV office in a city district in Oslo marked by alarming school dropout rates and substantial social budget expenditure. We ask whether the state-municipal partnership aligns with the municipal agenda.
Methodologically, we employ a qualitative approach encompassing individual and focus group interviews and observations over an extensive period. Our exploration of municipal perspectives and perceptions regarding the state partnership and daily collaboration unveils hurdles to comprehensive service delivery.
The findings illuminate the challenges to local collaboration that can arise from merging cultures and service functions, resulting in tensions in understanding roles, employment codes, and service delivery systems. NAV State’s absent role in addressing dropout rates in the district is noteworthy.
The study underscores the pressing need for customised, integrated services tailored to individual needs and bolstering internal social work capabilities. In conclusion, the paper discusses some aspects of the local partnerships that might impede offices from harnessing organisational resources effectively, delivering holistic welfare services, and aligning with ambitious social work agendas.
REFERENCES (33)
1.
Ask, T. A., & Sagatun, S. (2020). Frontline Professionals Performing Collaborative Work with Low-Income Families: Challenges across Organizational Boundaries. Nordic Journal of Social Research, 11(1), 66–85.https://doi.org/10.7577/njsr.2....
2.
Askim, J., Fimreite, A. L., Moseley, A., & Pedersen, L. H. (2011). One-stop shops for social welfare: The adaptations of an organizational reform in three countries. Public Administration, 89(4), 1451–1468. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467....
3.
Baklien, B., Bratt, C., and Gotaas, N. (2004). Satsing mot frafall i videregående opplæring. En Evaluering, NIBR, 2004:19. Oslo Bergheim, B., & Rugkåsa, M. (2022). Sosialt arbeid i Nav. Erfaringer fra intervensjonen helhetlig oppfølging av lavinntektsfamilier (Holf-prosjektet). Tidsskrift for velferdsforskning, 25(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.18261/tfv.2....
4.
Blumer, H. (1986). Symbolic interactionism: Perspective and method. University of California Press.
5.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589–597. https://doi.org/10.1080/215967....
6.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328–352. https://doi.org/10.1080/147808....
7.
Breit, E. (2014). Discursive practices of remedial organizational identity work: A study of the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 30(2), 231–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scam....
8.
Byrne, D. (2022). A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality & Quantity, 56(3), 1391–1412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135....
9.
Christensen, T., Fimreite, A. L., & Lægreid, P. (2014). Joined-Up Government for Welfare Administration Reform in Norway. Public Organization Review, 14(4), 439–456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115....
10.
Christensen, T., & Lægreid, P. (2011). Complexity and Hybrid Public Administration—Theoretical and Empirical Challenges. Public Organization Review, 11(4), 407–423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115....
11.
Fossestøl, K., Breit, E., Andreassen, T. A., & Klemsdal, L. (2015). Managing Institutional complexity in public sector reform: Hybridization in front-line service organizations. Public Administration, 93(2), 290–306. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.1....
12.
Gjersøe, H. M. (2021). Frontline provision of integrated welfare and employment services: Organising for activation competency. International Journal of Social Welfare, 30(3), 280–290. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.1....
13.
Gyüre, K., Tøge, A. G., & Malmberg-Heimonen, I. (2021). The Effects of Service Coordination on Disadvantaged Parents’ Participation in Activation Programs and Employment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Research on Social Work Practice, 104973152110465. https://doi.org/10.1177/104973....
14.
Hansen, M. B., Lœgreid, P., Pierre, J., & Salminen, A. (2012). Comparing Agencification in Nordic Countries. In: K. Verhoest, S. Van Thiel, G. Bouckaert, & P. Lægreid (Eds.), Government Agencies (pp. 259–264). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/978023....
15.
Head, B. W., & Alford, J. (2015). Wicked Problems: Implications for Public Policy and Management. Administration & Society, 47(6), 711–739. https://doi.org/10.1177/009539....
16.
Heidenreich, M., & Rice, D. (Eds.). (2016). Integrating social and employment policies in Europe: Active inclusion and challenges for local welfare governance. Edward Elgar Publishing.
17.
Lægreid, P., & Rykkja, L. H. (2022). Accountability and inter-organizational collaboration within the state. Public Management Review, 24(5), 683–703. https://doi.org/10.1080/147190....
18.
Lægreid, P., Sarapuu, K., Rykkja, L. H., & Randma-Liiv, T. (2015). New Coordination Challenges in the Welfare State. Public Management Review, 17(7), 927–939. https://doi.org/10.1080/147190....
19.
Lœgreid, P., Roness, P. G., & Rubecksen, K. (2012). Norway. In: Verhoest, K., Van Thiel, S., Bouckaert, G., & Lægreid, P. (Eds.), Government Agencies (pp. 234–244). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/978023....
20.
Malmberg-Heimonen, I., Natland, S., Tøge, A. G., & Hansen, H. C. (2016). The Effects of Skill Training on Social Workers’ Professional Competences in Norway: Results of a Cluster-Randomised Study. British Journal of Social Work, 46(5), 1354–1371.
21.
Mead, G. H. (1934). Mind, self, and society. From the standpoint of a social behaviourist. The University of Chicago Press.
22.
Meld. St. 30 (2015-2016) Fra mottak til arbeidsliv – en effektiv integreringspolitikk https://www.regjeringen.no/con....
23.
Meld. St. 32 (2020–2021) Ingen utenfor – En helhetlig politikk for å inkludere flere i arbeids- og samfunnsliv.www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/ce1f2d9ff9a64db2967817b0b337702c/no/pdfs/stm202020210032000dddpdfs.pdf.
24.
OECD (Ed.). (2019). Making Decentralisation Work: A Handbook for Policy-makers. OECD Publishing.
25.
Prop. 1 S (2015–2016) Proposisjon til Stortinget (forslag til stortingsvedtak) https://www.regjeringen.no/con....
26.
Røysum, A. (2013). The reform of the welfare services in Norway: One office – one way of thinking? European Journal of Social Work, 16(5), 708–723. https://doi.org/10.1080/136914....
27.
Schein, E. H. (2017). Organizational culture and leadership (5th Edition). Wiley.
28.
Skjefstad, N. S., Kiik, R., & Sandoval, H. (2018). The role of social workers under neoliberal ideology at the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service (NAV). In Neoliberalism, Nordic welfare states and social work (pp. 137–147). Routledge. file:///C:/Users/kjetwa/Downloads/10.4324_9781315111834-12_chapterpdf.pdf.
29.
Vabø, M. (2015). Changing Welfare Institutions as Sites of Contestation. In In: Engelstad, F. and Hagelund, A. (eds.). Cooperation and Conflict the Nordic Way: Work, Welfare, and Institutional Change in Scandinavia. (pp. 242–262). https://oda.oslomet.no/oda-xml....
30.
Vabø, M. & Vabo, S.I. (2014). Velferdens organisering (4th ed.) Universitetsforlaget, Oslo.
31.
Vabo, S.I. and Øverbye, E. (2009). Decentralisation and privatisation in the Norwegian welfare state since 1980.
32.
Wathne, K. (2019). “Det er ingen som hører på oss...!” Et kvalitativt blikk på innvandrerkvinner, arbeidsliv og uførepensjon. In: Aamodt, H., Dahl, E., Gubrium, E., Haldar, M., Hermansen, Å. (Red.) Sosialt Arbeid og Sosialpolitikk i Samhandling. Et svar på Velferdsstatens utfordringer? Fagbokforlaget, Oslo (p. 380).
33.
Wathne, K. (2021). ‘They said I wasn’t sick enough’: Pain as negotiation in workfare. Nordic Social Work Research, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/215685....
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| ISSN: | 1640-1808 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
