an article by Mike Hemmings (York St John University, UK)
published in
Voluntary Sector Review Volume 8 Number 1 (March 2017)
Abstract
This article explores how austerity has affected the ability of voluntary sector organisations in England to represent, advocate and lobby to ensure that the voice of disadvantaged people is heard by government. The core contribution of the article is its use of a qualitative longitudinal research methodology to analyse how people experience, interpret and respond to change.
The article supports neo-institutional and resource dependency theories, which argue that institutional incorporation, financial dependency and managerial isomorphism have a negative impact on the ability to express critical voice.
Austerity accelerates this tendency, creating fear and layering additional pressures on previous restructuring and reform tensions. This contrasts with quantitative empirical findings that involvement with government and financial dependency strengthen rather than reduce political advocacy.
The article argues for a nuanced view of advocacy that recognises the constraints on the ability of the sector to advocate for and empower disadvantaged people and communities.
Showing posts with label qualitative_longitudinal_research. Show all posts
Showing posts with label qualitative_longitudinal_research. Show all posts
Sunday, 1 October 2017
Thursday, 4 May 2017
Third sector independence: relations with the state in an age of austerity
an article by Valerie Egdell and Matthew Dutton (Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland) published in Voluntary Sector Review Volume 8 Number 1 (March 2017)
Abstract
Third sector organisations deliver a range of public services for government. They are valued and trusted by commissioners, clients and wider society because of their independence.
However, the extent to which the third sector is independent is questioned.
Drawing on qualitative longitudinal research with third sector organisations in Scotland, this article explores how third sector organisations delivering public services manage the demands of changing funding structures and relationships with government, and the implications for their independence. It explores how organisations understand and negotiate the tension between their independence and mission-driven social action, and delivering commissioned and contracted public services.
In doing so, it highlights the challenges to independence in a dynamically changing political, policy and financial climate, as well as opportunities for organisations to emphasise their distinctive contribution to public service delivery.
Abstract
Third sector organisations deliver a range of public services for government. They are valued and trusted by commissioners, clients and wider society because of their independence.
However, the extent to which the third sector is independent is questioned.
Drawing on qualitative longitudinal research with third sector organisations in Scotland, this article explores how third sector organisations delivering public services manage the demands of changing funding structures and relationships with government, and the implications for their independence. It explores how organisations understand and negotiate the tension between their independence and mission-driven social action, and delivering commissioned and contracted public services.
In doing so, it highlights the challenges to independence in a dynamically changing political, policy and financial climate, as well as opportunities for organisations to emphasise their distinctive contribution to public service delivery.
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