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How to Carry Out Joined-Up Government Reforms: Lessons from the 2001–2006 Norwegian Welfare Reform

2009; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 32; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/01900690903223888

1532-4265

Jostein Askim, Tom Christensen, Anne Lise Fimreite, Per Lægreid,

Labor Movements and Unions

Abstract The article reports a case study of a recent and major reform in the Norwegian welfare sector, involving the employment service, the national insurance administration, and the social services. The reform involves two common joined-up government reform measures, namely partnerships and mergers. The study examines how instrumental problem solving in the reform process was conditioned by external forces, negotiations, and administrative traditions. The analysis shows a transformative approach, in which the scope for rational problem solving is both constrained and enabled by interests and cultural constraints.