Third sector independence: Relations with the state in an age of austerity

Valerie Egdell, Matthew Dutton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Third sector organisations deliver a range of public services for government. They are valued and trusted by commissioners, clients and wider society because of their independence. However, the extent to which the third sector is independent is questioned. Drawing on qualitative longitudinal research with third sector organisations in Scotland, this article explores how third sector organisations delivering public services manage the demands of changing funding structures and relationships with government, and the implications for their independence. It explores how organisations understand and negotiate the tension between their independence and missiondriven social action, and delivering commissioned and contracted public services. In doing so, it highlights the challenges to independence in a dynamically changing political, policy and financial climate, as well as opportunities for organisations to emphasise their distinctive contribution to public service delivery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-40
Number of pages16
JournalVoluntary Sector Review
Volume8
Issue number1
Early online date27 Sept 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Independence
  • Public service delivery
  • Qualitative longitudinal research
  • Third sector

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