Improving decision making in government service delivery using third party providers. This project focuses on analysing and improving decision making in government service delivery through two complementary parts: examining the range of models/potential models used by government agencies through 3rd party providers; and investigating how specific relations are managed/improved in selected industries (childcare, ageing, disability services). Our approaches encompass policy process theories, contr ....Improving decision making in government service delivery using third party providers. This project focuses on analysing and improving decision making in government service delivery through two complementary parts: examining the range of models/potential models used by government agencies through 3rd party providers; and investigating how specific relations are managed/improved in selected industries (childcare, ageing, disability services). Our approaches encompass policy process theories, contractual management, alternative service delivery, citizen empowerment theories, new institutional economics, industry impact analysis, and new modes of accountability. Analytical methods include survey and statistical investigations, comparative historical methods, case studies, comparative research with Canadian and NZ experts.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100047
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$309,150.00
Summary
Electronic information systems and human service organisations: the development of systems for the future. There is growing concern that current forms of electronic information systems (IS) being used in social welfare agencies are undermining rather than supporting service delivery. This project will contribute to the development of new forms of IS that support frontline practitioners and thereby improve welfare services.
Government purchased services for children. Government purchased services for children. This project aims to establish ways the Chinese government can avoid the quality and accountability problems other countries’ governments have faced when purchasing child welfare services over the last 30 years. Using six regional case studies and government national datasets, this project will identify the effect of new purchasing models and address significant regulatory risks in China’s burgeoning welfare ....Government purchased services for children. Government purchased services for children. This project aims to establish ways the Chinese government can avoid the quality and accountability problems other countries’ governments have faced when purchasing child welfare services over the last 30 years. Using six regional case studies and government national datasets, this project will identify the effect of new purchasing models and address significant regulatory risks in China’s burgeoning welfare state. Findings are expected to build governments’ capacity to purchase good quality, equitable services for children; improve outcomes for millions of Chinese children; and build new theories of government contracting, service system governance, and global social policy convergence and transfer, relevant for Chinese and Australian social services.Read moreRead less
Making policy reform work: a comparative analysis of social procurement . This project aims to clarify the institutional and cross-sectoral conditions needed for successful implementation of emerging social procurement policy reforms; these seek through public spending to increase employment and business opportunities for people experiencing social exclusion. Via a mixed-methods comparative study in the leading jurisdictions of Victoria and Scotland, the project will extend scholarly knowledge o ....Making policy reform work: a comparative analysis of social procurement . This project aims to clarify the institutional and cross-sectoral conditions needed for successful implementation of emerging social procurement policy reforms; these seek through public spending to increase employment and business opportunities for people experiencing social exclusion. Via a mixed-methods comparative study in the leading jurisdictions of Victoria and Scotland, the project will extend scholarly knowledge of implementing policy reforms that rely on government and non-government actors working together in new ways, and practical understanding of what is needed to realise social procurement policy goals. This will contribute to effective public expenditure and ultimately help redress the societal consequences of exclusion.Read moreRead less
Transforming information systems design and use in social welfare agencies. This project aims to examine how electronic information systems (IS) can be redesigned to improve social welfare service delivery and support direct social work practice with those most in need. Using a proven ethnographic research design, this project aims to generate new knowledge and theory in the field of social informatics that is relevant to agencies across the sector. Expected outcomes of this project are practiti ....Transforming information systems design and use in social welfare agencies. This project aims to examine how electronic information systems (IS) can be redesigned to improve social welfare service delivery and support direct social work practice with those most in need. Using a proven ethnographic research design, this project aims to generate new knowledge and theory in the field of social informatics that is relevant to agencies across the sector. Expected outcomes of this project are practitioner-led and theoretically informed designs of IS and innovative ways to use them. Transforming the design and use of IS will enhance information about service activity and the needs of service users, thereby providing important benefits to the most vulnerable members of society.Read moreRead less
Learned Academies Special Projects - Grant ID: LA170100011
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
The use of big data for social policy: benefits and risks. This project aims to investigate the benefits and risks of using ‘big data’ and analytics for social policy. Drawing on documentary sources and interviews with experts and stakeholders, the project will use five case studies to examine the capability, underlying assumptions and possible impacts of such techniques. The project will bring together a multi-disciplinary team of social and data scientists to identify the infrastructural, tech ....The use of big data for social policy: benefits and risks. This project aims to investigate the benefits and risks of using ‘big data’ and analytics for social policy. Drawing on documentary sources and interviews with experts and stakeholders, the project will use five case studies to examine the capability, underlying assumptions and possible impacts of such techniques. The project will bring together a multi-disciplinary team of social and data scientists to identify the infrastructural, technical, and social, ethical and legal issues that need to be addressed. The project will define key issues for future research, promote collaboration between the social sciences and big data disciplines, while creating opportunities for building capability for researchers in the social sciences. Read moreRead less