A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
On the changing frontline of welfare delivery: views on social assistance recipients among Finnish frontline workers
Authors: Blomberg H, Kroll C, Kallio J
Publisher: POLICY PRESS
Publication year: 2018
Journal: Journal of Poverty and Social Justice
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF POVERTY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Journal acronym: J POVERTY SOC JUSTIC
Volume: 26
Issue: 2
First page : 263
Last page: 280
Number of pages: 18
ISSN: 1759-8273
eISSN: 1759-8281
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/175982718X15232796966637
Abstract
Frontline workers often use discretion when implementing rules. Thus, their own views can be expected to influence client treatment and decisions. We investigate how different groups of frontline workers, with different degrees and types of professional training and within different institutional settings, perceive social assistance and social assistance recipients, focusing on workers' (N=2124) views on overuse, laziness, shame and underuse. The results from the Finnish case investigated, where social assistance has recently been transferred from the municipal social services to a national social security institution, highlight the complex interplay between policy goals, institutional logics and the group of frontline workers.
Frontline workers often use discretion when implementing rules. Thus, their own views can be expected to influence client treatment and decisions. We investigate how different groups of frontline workers, with different degrees and types of professional training and within different institutional settings, perceive social assistance and social assistance recipients, focusing on workers' (N=2124) views on overuse, laziness, shame and underuse. The results from the Finnish case investigated, where social assistance has recently been transferred from the municipal social services to a national social security institution, highlight the complex interplay between policy goals, institutional logics and the group of frontline workers.
UTU Research Portal