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Non-profits and the ‘hollowed out’ state: the transformation of working conditions through personalizing social care services during an era of austerity

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  • Ian Cunningham

Abstract

This article explores the impact of state reforms to increase customer authority in social care at a time of public sector austerity in Scotland. The article focuses on the implications of these reforms for state–non-profit relations and the latter’s employment policies. The study proposes a theoretical framework to explore these themes using insights from the ‘hollowing out’ thesis and the customer-orientated bureaucracy concept. Non-profits respond to increased customer authority from personalization and public expenditure cuts by adopting more competitive relations with each other. They also introduce contradictory ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ Human Resource Management (HRM) reforms. Workers face multiple demands to be more flexible and exhibit commitment to ‘fit’ with customer needs. Despite some increases in skills, the increasing influence of customer authority and efficiency savings mean employees experience multiple degradations in employment conditions affecting pay, job security, skills and work intensification.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian Cunningham, 2016. "Non-profits and the ‘hollowed out’ state: the transformation of working conditions through personalizing social care services during an era of austerity," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 30(4), pages 649-668, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:30:y:2016:i:4:p:649-668
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016636983
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ian Kessler & Stephen Bach, 2011. "The Citizen‐Consumer as Industrial Relations Actor: New Ways of Working and the End‐user in Social Care," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 49(1), pages 80-102, March.
    2. Stephen Osborne & Arthur Williamson & Rona Beattie, 2002. "Community involvement in rural regeneration partnerships in the UK: Key issues from a three nation study," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(9), pages 1083-1092.
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