Production of boundaries by social service organizations: based on the study of family integrated service centers in Guangzhou

Xiaoxing Huang,Jie Yang

doi:10.1186/s40711-016-0033-2

Xiaoxing Huang, Jie Yang

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40711-016-0033-2

Copy DOI

Abstract

Social service organizations have developed quickly as a result of the Chinese government outsourcing services in recent years. The policy of government outsourcing services has been successful in developed countries and is transferred to China mainland. However, there are critical differences between China and these areas. The precondition for success in outsourcing services in Western countries is that the nonprofit organizations are relatively independent and strong. In China, however, the relationship between the government and social organizations is fuzzy, and social organizations are still quite weak. Thus, the effectiveness of social service in the West depends on collaboration between the government and nonprofit organizations (NPOs), during which the boundaries are eliminated and partnership is built. The preexistent boundaries make sure that the government and NPOs could cooperate independently and equally. In China, boundaries should be produced first to assure the effectiveness of the government purchases of social services. This paper focuses on the family integrated service centers in Guangzhou and analyzes the production of boundaries in the process of service delivery strategies. It aims to respond to the partnership theory and theoretical issues regarding the development of social organizations in China.

Highlights

Social service organizations have developed quickly as a result of the Chinese government outsourcing services in recent years
According to the Working Report of Civil Affairs of 2014 delivered by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, the government spent nearly two billion yuan on social work service projects, and more than 3500 non-governmental social service organizations had been established for the purpose of supplying social service
There is no doubt that social work is a trend in social development; is it necessary to set up a special institution to supply services? The purchase of services is good too, for the increasingly complex division of labor in society

Summary

Selective mobilization for resources in the process of service delivery

Resources integration is one important service provided by social service organizations, but resource dependence can lead to an obscure relationship between the social service organizations and other organizations. A number of enterprises have formed long-term cooperation with the GD residents’ committee, and they are willing to invest substantial human and material resources to support community services here. FISC gradually adopted the operation mode of residents’ committee for building up a strong relationship as well as acquiring more resources for service providing. This method makes FISC basically fully inherit the operation method of the sub-district office and residents’ committee, but FISC deviates from the original positioning of the organization and its professional mission. In the process of resource integration, FISC in BC Sub-district aimed to switch its position to a professional one and tried to shape clear professional boundaries. Such boundaries will develop, mature, and adjust for social service organizations

Selective cooperation of sub-district services

Conclusion and discussion