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The gendered dimension of street-level bureaucracy: Implementation of the ‘Women’s labour market policy programme’ in the public employment service (AMS) Vienna

Kren, Veronika LU (2025) WPMM42 20251
School of Social Work
Department of Sociology
Sociology
Abstract
This thesis explores the implementation of the ‘women’s labour market policy programme’ (Arbeitsmarktpolitisches Frauenprogramm) at the public employment service (AMS) Vienna through advisors. As so-called ‘street-level bureaucrats’ AMS advisors have the unique ability to implement policies at the street-level through their work with citizen-clients. The labour market situation in Austria has been unfavourable for women due to persisting gender inequalities. The AMS introduced a programme to support and promote women in the labour market, the so-called ‘women’s labour market policy programme’. Drawing upon Lipsky’s (2010) theoretical understanding of frontline workers’ role in public service delivery, this thesis conceptualises the process... (More)
This thesis explores the implementation of the ‘women’s labour market policy programme’ (Arbeitsmarktpolitisches Frauenprogramm) at the public employment service (AMS) Vienna through advisors. As so-called ‘street-level bureaucrats’ AMS advisors have the unique ability to implement policies at the street-level through their work with citizen-clients. The labour market situation in Austria has been unfavourable for women due to persisting gender inequalities. The AMS introduced a programme to support and promote women in the labour market, the so-called ‘women’s labour market policy programme’. Drawing upon Lipsky’s (2010) theoretical understanding of frontline workers’ role in public service delivery, this thesis conceptualises the process of policy implementation through three relevant dimensions: a policy-making, a decision-making, and a gendered dimension. This thesis applies a gendered lens to understand street-level bureaucrats’ work. A qualitative research design, using seven semi-structured interviews with AMS advisors in Vienna and two expert interviews as a method to answer the research question. The findings in this thesis suggest that AMS advisors implement the ‘women’s labour market policy programme’ as citizen-agents (Maynard-Moody, Musheno 2000) who prioritise clients’ needs. Advisors implement the programme according to organisational values, however, their perception of the programme and street-level judgments about individual and structural situations shape the implementation process. The thesis contributes a gendered perspective to street-level bureaucracy literature by considering gender as a factor in the implementation process. This thesis aims to contribute to existing feminist street-level bureaucracy literature to further expand on how gender interrelates with bureaucratic practices and policy implementation at street-level. (Less)
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author
Kren, Veronika LU
supervisor
organization
course
WPMM42 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
street-level bureaucracy, public employment service, gender, labour market, women, Vienna
language
English
id
9190988
date added to LUP
2025-06-12 09:14:00
date last changed
2025-06-12 09:14:00
@misc{9190988,
  abstract     = {{This thesis explores the implementation of the ‘women’s labour market policy programme’ (Arbeitsmarktpolitisches Frauenprogramm) at the public employment service (AMS) Vienna through advisors. As so-called ‘street-level bureaucrats’ AMS advisors have the unique ability to implement policies at the street-level through their work with citizen-clients. The labour market situation in Austria has been unfavourable for women due to persisting gender inequalities. The AMS introduced a programme to support and promote women in the labour market, the so-called ‘women’s labour market policy programme’. Drawing upon Lipsky’s (2010) theoretical understanding of frontline workers’ role in public service delivery, this thesis conceptualises the process of policy implementation through three relevant dimensions: a policy-making, a decision-making, and a gendered dimension. This thesis applies a gendered lens to understand street-level bureaucrats’ work. A qualitative research design, using seven semi-structured interviews with AMS advisors in Vienna and two expert interviews as a method to answer the research question. The findings in this thesis suggest that AMS advisors implement the ‘women’s labour market policy programme’ as citizen-agents (Maynard-Moody, Musheno 2000) who prioritise clients’ needs. Advisors implement the programme according to organisational values, however, their perception of the programme and street-level judgments about individual and structural situations shape the implementation process. The thesis contributes a gendered perspective to street-level bureaucracy literature by considering gender as a factor in the implementation process. This thesis aims to contribute to existing feminist street-level bureaucracy literature to further expand on how gender interrelates with bureaucratic practices and policy implementation at street-level.}},
  author       = {{Kren, Veronika}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The gendered dimension of street-level bureaucracy: Implementation of the ‘Women’s labour market policy programme’ in the public employment service (AMS) Vienna}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}