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

TY - JOUR

T1 - New governance and the case of activation policies

T2 - comparing experiences in Denmark and the Netherlands

AU - Lindsay, Colin Dale

AU - McQuaid, Ronald W

PY - 2009/10

Y1 - 2009/10

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Unemployment

KW - Employability

KW - Public Employment Service

KW - de-monopolization

KW - Denmark

KW - The Netherlands

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70350072933&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2009.00673.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2009.00673.x

M3 - Article

SN - 1467-9515

VL - 43

SP - 445

EP - 463

JO - Social Policy and Administration

JF - Social Policy and Administration

IS - 5

ER -