Reorganizing local welfare. The governance network model and the experience of Lombardy Area Social Plans. The effects of the changes introduced by the addressing lines for social planning

Journal title STUDI ORGANIZZATIVI
Author/s Eugenio Salvati
Publishing Year 2020 Issue 2020/1 Language Italian
Pages 26 P. 67-92 File size 372 KB
DOI 10.3280/SO2020-001003
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During the last years European welfare systems have undergone several relevant transformations produced by socio-demographic changes, the rise of new social needs and the reduction of available resources. In this framework welfare organizational arrangements which involve actors, available resources, cooperation relationships, planning and services supply, has assumed a growing centrality. This is particularly true at local level, due to the fact that the territorialisation of welfare is shifting planning and services supply towards the government level which is closer to citizens, in order to strengthen the personalization of services. Which are the effects of this territorialisation process? Is there any analytical tool that can help us to fully understand the implications of this change? The answers to these questions can be find through the use of the governance network theory which can allow us to understand the new trajectories of local welfare catching the shift from the net logic to the construction of more stable, articulated and effective instruments for the production of social services. Defined the theoretical framework, the article will take in consideration the experience of the Piani di Zona (Area Social Plans) of Regione Lombardia (Lombardy Region) as a case study, paying particular attention to the reform process started with the new addressing line for the social planning emanated by the regional government in 2017. Through the lens provided by the governance network theory, the article will explain the peculiar organizational experience of social services provision in Lombardy Region, and its ongoing changes.

Keywords: Local welfare, Piani di Zona, Organization behavior, Network for-mation and analysis, Social Innovation, Planning.

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Eugenio Salvati, Riorganizzare il welfare locale. Il modello del governance network e l’esperienza dei Piani di Zona lombardi in "STUDI ORGANIZZATIVI " 1/2020, pp 67-92, DOI: 10.3280/SO2020-001003