Efficiency and the Social Services
Robert Pruger(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 24. August 1991
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-56024-113-3 (ISBN)
Description
Here is a unique book that addresses the concept of efficiency in relation to the social services. Efficiency is a subject of great intellectual challenge and one that has the potential to make a profound impact throughout the social services industry but which, until now, has not been fully explored by academicians inside or outside the social welfare field. Efficiency and the Social Services is dedicated to promoting the idea of efficiency as a fundamental standard in the social services. This thought-provoking volume presents a serious treatment of the subject from the diverse range of viewpoints of twelve authoritative contributors whose areas of concentration include economics, history, political science, public administration, and social welfare.This fascinating book is a detailed and multi-faceted discussion committed to creating an interest in the efficiency concept. The first two chapters present for the first time a strongly argued case for applying efficiency to the social services. Subsequent chapters discuss the issue of conceptualizing and measuring unit costs, efficiency from the perspective of political culture, and the rich history of efficiency in social welfare. The possible negative aspects of efficiency are even covered in an examination of the distortions and problems that can result in attempting to make the social services efficient. This insightful book's serious approach and detailed presentations will spark interest in further development of the concept of efficiency among practicing administrators and academics in the welfare and social services fields.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Weight
386 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-56024-113-3 (9781560241133)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Contents
Introduction
Part I: Introducing the Concept
Efficiency and the Social Services: Part A
Efficiency and the Social Services: Part B
Part II: On Costs, Benefits, and Effects
Cost
Methodological Issues in Efficiency-Focused Program Evaluation: The Case of Mental Health
Efficiency in Human Services: The Case of Education
Efficiency in Behavior-Changing Social Programs: The Case of In-Home Child Abuse Prevention
Part III: Efficiency in the Agency and the Curriculum
Efficiency Considerations in the Social Welfare Agency
The Impact of Efficiency on Social Work Administration Education
Part IV: Other Perspectives and Viewpoints
Efficiency as a Function of Culture
Efficiency in Social Service Administration: Historical Reflections
In and Out of the Rabbit Hole With Alice: Assessing the Consequences of Efficiency Prescriptions
Introduction
Part I: Introducing the Concept
Efficiency and the Social Services: Part A
Efficiency and the Social Services: Part B
Part II: On Costs, Benefits, and Effects
Cost
Methodological Issues in Efficiency-Focused Program Evaluation: The Case of Mental Health
Efficiency in Human Services: The Case of Education
Efficiency in Behavior-Changing Social Programs: The Case of In-Home Child Abuse Prevention
Part III: Efficiency in the Agency and the Curriculum
Efficiency Considerations in the Social Welfare Agency
The Impact of Efficiency on Social Work Administration Education
Part IV: Other Perspectives and Viewpoints
Efficiency as a Function of Culture
Efficiency in Social Service Administration: Historical Reflections
In and Out of the Rabbit Hole With Alice: Assessing the Consequences of Efficiency Prescriptions