Diakonia as Innovation: A Political and Organisational Perspective

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of the article is to investigate the relationship between diakonia and innovation in the field of provision of welfare services. Special interest is therefore vested in studying the role of the third sector more generally. Traditionally, this sector and its organisations have been considered the most important actors for innovation in welfare services provision, as pioneers in this field of services. The investigation has laid open a rather complex field. Theories and models drawn from several fields of study, including welfare state theory and social policy theory, are used in the analysis of the relationship. A constructivist approach to social problems, combined with approaches to functions of third sector and faith-based human service organisations have helped us create a picture of the subject of investigation. The article provides elements to an analytic framework for empirical studies of how diakonia, through its organised actors, can influence public problem processes and inno...