Abstract

This article presents the results of empirical research on best practices in relation to quality of labour in two sectors of welfare work: the residential care for the elderly and the residential youth welfare work. Two basic hypotheses have been formulated. First of all, we suggest that few regulation problems and several regulation opportunities will lead to reduced stress. Secondly, we suggest that innovative policies, in terms of organisation and personnel, increase the likelihood of lower stress rates. The data supplies little empirical evidence for the second hypothesis, which means that innovative policy practices have very little effect on the realities of stress. An important conclusion which puts so called ‘good news’ shows concerning innovation and management into perspective. A question which arises from this is whether our search for ‘best practices’ is then equal to a measure for ‘nothing’? This is not our opinion. The reference framework for our research must be turned round. This can be achieved by no longer starting from the normative (practice) theory, but starting instead with ‘excellent’ practice, which can teach us important content and policy lessons. The data suggests in this respect that good management and healthy mutual work relationships contribute to the foremost quality conditions within the context of an intra-mural care setting.

How to Cite:

De Prins, P., Van den Audenaerde, K. & Henderickx, E., (2005) “Kwaliteit van arbeid in zorgorganisaties: op zoek naar best practices”, Tijdschrift voor Sociologie 26(1-2), 114–136. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.86629