Examining the consequences of the outsourcing of public services, this book explores the transformation of working conditions, employment relations and the role of the state under marketisation strain. It places these developments in a wider framework that incorporates the legacy of the national models of public administration and employment relations regimes in the public sector. Adopting a comparative perspective by focusing on Italy, Denmark and Britain, the author investigates and questions the influential interpretation of a spreading neo-liberal trajectory in public service working conditions and employment relations, and reveals significant diversity across countries mediated by national institutional configurations. Discussing the interplay between the austerity agenda in the aftermath of the financial crisis and the swelling of outsourcing practices in public services, this book responds to the scholarly call for an integrated approach towards institutions and actors. A valuable read for researchers examining human resource management, labour studies and public administration, this book provides a comprehensive overview of employment relations in outsourced public services.

1. Employment Relations in Outsourced Public Services: Working Between Market and State

Part I. The Case of Italy
2. Public Services under Austerity: Structure of the Public Sector and Drivers of Outsourcing
3. State-controlled Dualisation between Public and Private Employment: Implications for Labour and Employment Relations
Part II. The Case of Denmark
4. The Search for Public Services Efficiency: Structure of the Public Sector and Drivers of Outsourcing
5. Market-embedding and Inclusion: Implications for Labour and Employment Relations
Part III. The Case of Britain
6. The Neoliberal Agenda: Structure of the Public Sector and Drives of Outsourcing
7. Market-making and Deregulation: Implications for Labour and Employment Relations
Part. IV. Conclusion
8. Enduring National Varieties under Market Strain.