New governance and the case of activation policies : comparing experiences in Denmark and the Netherlands

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Lindsay, Colin and McQuaid, Ronald (2009) New governance and the case of activation policies : comparing experiences in Denmark and the Netherlands. Social Policy and Administration, 43 (5). pp. 445-463. (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9515.2009.00673.x)

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Abstract

This article explores the importance of new forms of governance in active labour market policies (activation) in two countries: Denmark and the Netherlands. Drawing on research with key stakeholders in these countries, we analyse how new governance, and particularly processes of contracting-out and localization, have found expression in recent reforms to activation. We conclude that localization and contracting-out may have a future role to play in the development of more locally responsive and individually focused services. But both countries have encountered problems in promoting joined-up services through local jobcentres, while contracting-out has not always led to the tailored, individually focused services envisaged by policy-makers. In both countries, there are also concerns that the restriction of the Public Employment Service to a ‘gatekeeping and signposting’ role will lead to inconsistencies in the quality of services, exposing the most disadvantaged to greater social risk.

ORCID iDs

Lindsay, Colin ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2493-6797 and McQuaid, Ronald;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)