Fragmented structures and vertical control systems The Swedish experience of resource utilization in human services

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of management systems in humanrnservices dealing with children and young people not supporting efficient resource utilization, as well asrnhow to deal with this problem.rnDesign/methodology/approach - This paper is based on six years (2002-2007) of research intornhuman service organizations with regard to social activities focusing on children and adolescents. Thernauthors conducted this research in collaboration with representatives of social services, healthrnservices, schools and pre-schools in three municipalities in southern Sweden (2002-2005) and fourrnmunicipalities and two county councils (2005-2007) in different parts of Sweden. The researchers metrnthese representatives at seminars held every month. The seminars primarily served the purpose ofrndiscussing problems and opportunities, as well as allowing experiences to be exchanged between thernrepresentatives.rnFindings - The circumstances of dependency between social services, schools and pre-schools arernobviously given in their inter-relationships. Efficient resource utilization thus presupposes resourcesrnbeing distributed on the basis of transverse dialogues held between different actors. The organisationalrnstructure and management control systems should therefore be designed so that they support meetingsrnand dialogues between actors involved in different activities and on different levels in social services,rnschools and pre-schools.rnOriginality/value - This paper shows that dialogue across boundaries will provide the prerequisitesrnfor the knowledge- and experience-sharing that is necessary to bring about efficient resource utilizationrnin human services directed towards children and young people. Some proposals regarding a morerneffective and ethically legitimate utilization of resources are also made.