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Metagoverning social work knowledge structures.

Denvall, Verner LU ; Nordesjö, Kettil and Johansson, Kerstin (2022) In Nordic Social Work Research 12(5). p.808-822
Abstract
The increasing fragmentation and the rising number of organizations in society create major challenges when implementing policy. In this article, we propose that the concept of metagovernance is useful when addressing these challenges in the governance of knowledge structures. The enhancement of knowledge structures in the Swedish social services is our study object. Networks at national, regional and local levels have been organized and facilitated by national resources and agreements since 2003. The shifting of participants, switching assignments and ambiguity about the networks’ purposes created difficult conditions for successful implementation. In this paper we argue that fragile top-down government and shifting local network... (More)
The increasing fragmentation and the rising number of organizations in society create major challenges when implementing policy. In this article, we propose that the concept of metagovernance is useful when addressing these challenges in the governance of knowledge structures. The enhancement of knowledge structures in the Swedish social services is our study object. Networks at national, regional and local levels have been organized and facilitated by national resources and agreements since 2003. The shifting of participants, switching assignments and ambiguity about the networks’ purposes created difficult conditions for successful implementation. In this paper we argue that fragile top-down government and shifting local network organization provide limited opportunities to ensure that new knowledge structures will have an impact on social work practice. Research is based upon monitoring a national program that started in 2003, affecting five universities and their surrounding regions and municipalities. The article is also based upon observations and interviews among national and regional actors. Results show that national agencies are hands-off, but still in control by setting up legal and discursive frameworks for those networks. It is argued that this creates new challenges for participating organizations and professionals in social work.

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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Metagovernance, Evidence-based practice, Networks, Social work, Government
in
Nordic Social Work Research
volume
12
issue
5
pages
15 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85124123894
ISSN
2156-857X
DOI
10.1080/2156857X.2021.1893210
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3209d118-6df0-4a30-b9d4-bb780b94fbac
date added to LUP
2021-02-26 11:04:20
date last changed
2023-02-14 04:03:20
@article{3209d118-6df0-4a30-b9d4-bb780b94fbac,
  abstract     = {{The increasing fragmentation and the rising number of organizations in society create major challenges when implementing policy. In this article, we propose that the concept of metagovernance is useful when addressing these challenges in the governance of knowledge structures. The enhancement of knowledge structures in the Swedish social services is our study object. Networks at national, regional and local levels have been organized and facilitated by national resources and agreements since 2003. The shifting of participants, switching assignments and ambiguity about the networks’ purposes created difficult conditions for successful implementation. In this paper we argue that fragile top-down government and shifting local network organization provide limited opportunities to ensure that new knowledge structures will have an impact on social work practice. Research is based upon monitoring a national program that started in 2003, affecting five universities and their surrounding regions and municipalities. The article is also based upon observations and interviews among national and regional actors. Results show that national agencies are hands-off, but still in control by setting up legal and discursive frameworks for those networks. It is argued that this creates new challenges for participating organizations and professionals in social work.<br/><br/>}},
  author       = {{Denvall, Verner and Nordesjö, Kettil and Johansson, Kerstin}},
  issn         = {{2156-857X}},
  keywords     = {{Metagovernance; Evidence-based practice; Networks; Social work; Government}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{808--822}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Nordic Social Work Research}},
  title        = {{Metagoverning social work knowledge structures.}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2156857X.2021.1893210}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/2156857X.2021.1893210}},
  volume       = {{12}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}