Drivers for a cross-sector successful collaboration: the Basque country model of action

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-284
Author(s):  
Marta Enciso-Santocildes ◽  
Ana Vidu ◽  
Laura Gómez-Urquijo
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Positive Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
Successful Collaboration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show the positive effects of a cross-sector collaboration between public administration and third sector in the Basque Country. Solidarity within European society is a concern increasingly addressed from broader perspectives in broader territories. Civil society involvement has also reached public administrations. The European Commission H2020 project, SOLIDUS Solidarity in European societies: empowerment, social justice and citizenship (2016–2018), responds to the need to build a “renewed” Europe after the economic crisis, addressing social areas as employment, education, housing, health, civic engagement. Design/methodology/approach The communicative methodology (CM) has been used in this research paper, including qualitative fieldwork involving representatives of third-sector organizations. The CM already showed its impact on society, through several research projects in which it has been applied. CM is based on including stakeholders’ voices into research from the initial design until the end, responding their needs from research evidence. Thus, it contributes to put in common the knowledge of experts and stakeholders. Findings Searching for successful practices of social innovation, this paper analyzed which elements enable such relationships between public administration and third-sector organizations to promote successful public policies. Even some risks and barriers have been highlighted, the authors’ specific aim focuses on the positive aspects. Therefore, it shows drivers for a most efficient way of public management, which could potentially be extrapolated to other contexts. Some of these drivers are the following: support and collaboration between sectors, institutional trust, co-creation, active participation of the third sector, solidarity and commitment, efficient social policies and workers’ professionalization. Originality/value This paper contributes to returning to institutions and society the atmosphere of trust that the crisis context has damaged. The Basque Countries’ comprehensive model of action proves to attend citizenship contributing to a better society, from engaging a successful collaboration across sectors. The creation of two models of collaboration helps to progress in the positive interaction between the third sector and government. This paper is also original because it gives voice to people directly involved on the field and uses their knowledge to describe drivers and assess collaboration and participation of the third sector. Peer review The peer review history for this paper is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2019-0378

Is the third sector an extension of public administration? Reflections on the Gipuzkoan case

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-372
Author(s):  
Felix Arrieta ◽  
Ainhoa Izaguirre ◽  
Martín Zuñiga
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
The Third ◽  
Third Sector Organisations ◽  
The Third Sector

The role of the third sector in the provision of welfare and its relationship with public administration have been gaining importance in political debates because of the difficulties that welfare states have in responding to emerging social needs. The ‘Gipuzkoan model’, based on a public‐private collaboration between third sector organisations and the public administration in Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country in Spain, has been drawing attention over the past 40 years. However, there is a debate concerning the role that each actor should play in the implementation of welfare policies. This article analyses, from a qualitative point of view, the role of the third sector in designing and providing public policy tools for the region within the context promoted by the Gipuzkoan model of public‐private collaboration. The results obtained illustrate a multifaceted scenario in which different visions converge around the same question: How should this collaboration be developed and what future awaits the third sector?

scholarly journals NEW SPACES IN THE PUBLIC ARENA: LEARNINGS FROM GIPUZKOA

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (6) ◽  
pp. 118-132
Author(s):  
Felix Arrieta ◽  
◽  
Ainhoa Izaguirre ◽  
Martín Zuñiga ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
Set Up

The difficulties that European Welfare States are experiencing in order to respond to emerging social needs are making a re-configuration of the welfare system inevitable. In this sense, spheres such as the third sector are gaining special attention due to their role in the provision of welfare. This paper qualitatively addresses the interaction between public administration and the third sector using the example of welfare provision in the Province of Gipuzkoa. Specifically, our research focuses on the existing instruments for this interaction and the existing spaces for representation and interaction between both. By means of a participatory approach based on qualitative techniques, professionals from the public administration and the third sector were given voice. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine participants considered by the research team as references in the field of the third sector. To complement and advance in the understanding of the information obtained, three discussion groups were also set up: two were formed by participants who are in charge of third sector organizations; and the third was made up of technicians from the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. Altogether, the results obtained illustrate much confusion between both actors concerning how their relationships should be built, as traditional ways seem insufficient. Although the creation of the civil dialogue table seems like an alternative, it presents several difficulties in terms of ensuring the representation of all third sector organizations.

scholarly journals Improving community support for older people’s needs through commissioning third sector services: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Chadborn ◽  
Chris Craig ◽  
Gina Sands ◽  
Justine Schneider ◽  
John Gladman
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
Improve Measurement ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
Service Data

Aim This exploratory study of commissioning third sector services for older people aimed to explore whether service data was fed back to commissioners and whether this could improve intelligence about the population and hence inform future commissioning decisions. Background Third sector services are provided through charities and non-profit community organizations, and over recent years services have developed that assess and advise people for self-management or provide wellbeing support in the community. Third sector services have an opportunity to reach vulnerable populations and to provide intelligence about them. Some third sector services are state funded (commissioned) in the United Kingdom. While evidence is available about the commissioning of statutory health and social care, as well as private providers, there is limited evidence about how third sector health services are funded. Methods Participants were recruited from commissioner organizations and third sector organizations, both with an interest in supporting the independence, self-management and wellbeing of older people. Organizations were recruited from five purposively selected sites within one region of England (East Midlands). Semi-structured interviews explored the relationships between commissioners and providers and the nature of funding arrangements, including co-production. Interviews also explored collection of data within the service and how data were fed back to commissioners. Focus groups were held with older people with the potential to benefit from wellbeing services. Results Commissioning arrangements were varied, sometimes complex, and often involved co-production with the third sector. Commissioners valued third sector organizations for their engagement with the local community, value for money, outreach services and ability to provide information about the community. Assessing the needs and outcomes of individuals was integral to delivery of support and advice to older people. Diverse approaches were used to assess an individual’s needs and outcomes, although there were concerns that some assessment questionnaires may be too complex for this vulnerable group. Assessment and outcomes data were also used to monitor the service contract and there was potential for the data to be summarized to inform commissioning strategies, but commissioners did not report using assessment data in this way, in practice. While the policy context encouraged partnerships with third sector organizations and their involvement in decision making, the relationship with third sector organizations was not valued within contract arrangements, and may have been made more difficult by the tendering process and the lack of analysis of service data. Conclusion This exploratory study has demonstrated a diversity of commissioning arrangements for third sector services across one region of England. Most commissioners invited co-production; that is, the commissioners sought input from the third sector while specifying details of the service. Service data, including assessments of needs and outcomes, were reported to commissioners, however commissioners did not appear to use this to full advantage to inform future commissioning decisions. This may indicate a need to improve measurement of needs and outcomes in order to improve the credibility of the commissioning process.

Managing Third Sector Organizations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Murdock ◽  
Stephen Barber
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Core ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
High Level ◽  
Managerial Perspective ◽  
Stakeholder Environment

What is the state of what can be described as management in the third sector? At its heart, it discusses the long-held assertion that these organizations are reluctant to accept the need for ‘management’. After all, what makes third sector organizations different, by their own estimation, from their commercial equivalents is the deeply embedded concepts of mission and values together with a distinctly complex stakeholder environment. For all that, there are also “commercial” pressures and an instinct for survival. To serve the mission necessarily needs resources. And there is a perennial tension in high-level decision-making between delivery of the mission and maintaining solvency. Third-sector organizations, like any other, are innately concerned with their own sustainability. It is here that the analysis is located and there is an opportunity to examine the topic theoretically and empirically. By introducing the concept of the “Management See-Saw” to illustrate the competing drivers of values and commercialism before exploring these identified pressures through the lens of three real-life vignettes, it is possible to appreciate the current state of play. Given all this, it is important for modern organizations to be able to measure value and impact. From a managerial perspective, the reality needs to be acknowledged that this environment is complex and multi-layered. In drawing the strands together, the discussion concludes by illustrating the importance of leadership in the sector, which is a powerful indicator of effectiveness. Nevertheless, with a focus on management, the core contention is that management remains undervalued in the third sector. That said, commercial focus can increasingly be identified and the longer term trend is squarely in this direction.

Partnership working across sectors: a multi-professional perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy El-Farargy
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Care ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Third ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Professional Perspective ◽  
The Third Sector

Purpose The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 set the framework for the integration of adult health and social care services. Teams, organisations and sectors are now required to work in partnership and interdependently to deliver shared outcomes for the people they serve. The purpose of this paper is to explore any features, practices and behaviours that could influence effective partnership working across sectors. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was designed and distributed to a range of stakeholders working in health, social care and the third sector. With reference to the changing health and social care reform agenda, the aims of the survey were to gather views, experiences and perceptions of working across sectors, and any workforce development needs. Findings The majority of respondents were from the NHS (80.3 per cent, 118/147), and experiences were largely drawn from those working with the third sector. The utility of working with the third sector was positively highlighted; however, there were limited opportunities to fully engage. Whilst formal education and training was welcomed, workforce development needs were mostly related to fostering relationships and building mutual trust. Originality/value This paper highlights views, perceptions, enablers and barriers to integrated care in Scotland. Whilst the Scottish integration landscape is currently not fully fledged, insights into prevailing attitudes towards integrated care, by a cohort of the Scottish health and care workforce, are offered. In particular, reflections by the NHS workforce to working with third sector services are discussed.

scholarly journals Relationship between quality in accounting information and organizational characteristics of the third sector entities

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (88) ◽  
pp. 9-27
Author(s):  
Fernando M. Ramos ◽  
Roberto Carlos Klann
Keyword(s):  
Information Quality ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Organizational Characteristics ◽  
Legal Form ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
Quality Of Accounting Information ◽  
The Third Sector

Abstract This study intends to evaluate the relationship between the quality in accounting information and the organizational characteristics of Third Sector entities. The methodology is designed to follow a descriptive, documental and quantitative approach. The universe of the study is composed of Third Sector organizations, formally constituted in the Brazilian scenario. The target population has included organizations with OSCIP and UPF specifications. The 18,553 entities, which existed during the study, were investigated. The research used a probabilistic sample of 392 entities. The results indicate a predominance of the institutions established under the legal form of association. As for the size, the foundations are the larger ones. Regarding the quality of accounting information, we have identified a lower reported information quality index, when compared to the second sector. Finally, the results showed that the organizational characteristics of size, creation time and qualification as OSCIP have significant and positive influence on the quality of accounting information of the entities that we analyzed. This led to the conclusion that the non-profit organizations and regulatory organs need to make improvements regarding the accounting information reporting process, as well as the awareness of the importance of these reports for the decision-making process and public accountability. This study contributes to the discussion about the characteristics of the third sector organizations that relate with the quality of the accounting information reported by these institutions in the Brazilian scenario. It is the first study that analyzed this relationship in Brazil.

Comparative Study between Japan and the UK on Shifting the Third Sector–Government Relationships

2013 ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
Ichiro Tsukamoto ◽  
Mariko Nishimura
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Third Sector Organizations ◽  
The Third ◽  
Contractual Relationships ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
The Uk

The aim of this research is to examine and compare the shifting relationships between third sector organizations and local government under the current public service reforms in Japan and the UK. In both cases, institutional isomorphic tendency amongst third sector organizations can be found. However, in the case of UK, more formalized partnership frameworks set by central government as well as contractual relationships has an impact on this tendency. Contrastingly, Japan partnerships tend to be individualized. In this regard, the contracting framework seems to have more impact on behavior of the third sector organizations than partnership frameworks. In addition, the aspect of co-governance of the third sector organizations has been less developed than in the third sector in the UK. This affinity seems to be associated with the lack of sense of identity as a sector and also the lack of strong third sector organizations.

Making the invisible visible: (un)meeting male rape victims’ needs in the third sector

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliraza Javaid
Keyword(s):  
Third Sector ◽  
Voluntary Sector ◽  
Rape Victims ◽  
Male Rape ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Third ◽  
Voluntary Agency ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Voluntary Agencies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the voluntary sector meets male rape victims’ needs in England, UK. The author’s contribution represents an attempt to piece together some of the voluntary sector’s responses to male rape victims in England, UK and examine whether they meet male rape victims’ needs. Design/methodology/approach The author draws on data collected from semi-structured interviews and qualitative questionnaires with male rape counsellors, therapists and voluntary agency caseworkers (n=70). Findings The findings reveal nuanced themes that have been overlooked in the existing literature of male rape: first, male rape victims are not given a choice of their voluntary agency practitioner (regarding gender) to serve them; second, there is no specific training on male rape in voluntary agencies; third, the impact of limited resources and funding in the voluntary sector means that many male rape victims’ needs are unmet; and finally, there is ageism and discrimination in some voluntary agencies, whereby male rape victims are prioritised in terms of their age. Research limitations/implications Methodologically, the author’s sample size was not considerably large (n=70), making it difficult to generalise the findings to all voluntary agency practitioners in a British context. Practical implications At a time of scarce funding and scant resources for the third sector, the impact of limited resources and funding in the voluntary sector could mean that male rape victims may not receive proper care and treatment. Budget cuts in the third sector are problematic, in that voluntary agencies may be unable to get access to robust training programs for male rape or to resources that can help shape and develop the ways in which they serve male rape victims. The needs of male rape victims, therefore, are unlikely to be met at the local, regional and national levels. Social implications Some practitioners are misinformed about male rape and do not have the tools to be able to adequately and efficiently handle male rape victims. Not only can their lack of understanding of male rape worsen male rape victims’ trauma through inappropriate ways of handling them, but also the practitioners may implicitly reinforce male rape myths, such as “male rape is solely a homosexual issue” or “men cannot be raped”. Originality/value Whilst previous contributions have recognised the third sector’s responses to female rape victims, little work has been done to identify their treatment of male rape victims. The author attempts to fill some of this lacuna. In particular, The author draws attention to some of the issues and dilemmas that arise when voluntary agencies provide services for male victims of rape. The author’s concern is that many male rape victims’ needs may be neglected or ignored because of the rise in neoliberalism, as there appears to be a financial meltdown in the voluntary sector.

Innovative partnerships for the utilization of confiscated assets previously owned by mafias

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Maria Mazzanti ◽  
Giulio Ecchia ◽  
Tamami Komatsu
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Third Sector ◽  
Historical Presence

Purpose The third sector is a producer of trust and positive social interactions, while the mafias destroy trust and social norms. Confiscation of assets and reusing confiscated assets are important tools from an economic and symbolic point of view for contrasting the mafias and promoting a sustainable and fair economy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of the third sector for reusing confiscated assets. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a theoretical analysis of why a third sector role is utilized for reusing confiscated assets, thus focusing on the economic, social and cultural dimensions. Italian legislation and data are presented for showing the relevant and innovative role of the third sector for reusing confiscated assets. A case study of the city of Forlì, based in Northern Italy, is presented and is of particular interest because it is a part of Italy that does not have a historical presence of the mafias. The University of Bologna is now a partner of the project through the Observatory of Legality. Five hectares of confiscated, urban land have been given to two social cooperatives for organic agriculture and social gardening, which are managed by disadvantaged people working in the cooperatives. Findings The case study offers useful implications for other national and international situations. The results support that the third sector can be an effective partner in managing and restoring the goods to their community. Research limitations/implications A suggested focus on a European framework toward a more integrated approach for reusing confiscated assets. Practical implications An opportunity for policy decisions to be made toward a stronger approach for reusing confiscated assets via the third sector and civil society actors, starting from positive cases, such as the Forlì case study. Social implications Possibility of a stronger civic engagement for reusing confiscated assets previously owned by mafias. Originality/value Scaling up from a pioneering activity to a large-scale network of social enterprises and partnerships could make the difference.

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