The Institutional Construction of Consumerism. A study of Implementing Quality indicators

This paper provides a critical analysis of the linkages between rising consumerism and the development of performance measurement practices in the Norwegian health care sector. Addressing this issue, we draw on Hensman’s (2003) conceptual framework, based on a socio-political perspective on ideology...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Østergren, Katarina
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Request full text
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Summary:This paper provides a critical analysis of the linkages between rising consumerism and the development of performance measurement practices in the Norwegian health care sector. Addressing this issue, we draw on Hensman’s (2003) conceptual framework, based on a socio-political perspective on ideology change. On a more meta-level we use neo-institutional theory, in which specific attention is paid to the interplay between different actors competing to dominate with their view of the aim of the newly implemented national quality indicators, the strategic discourse used to legitimize their actions and the unfolding (re)construction of performance measurement practices. The study thus provides insights into the problem of translating consumerism notions into models used by the public sector to regulate the organization from the consumer’s choice. We also find support for several of Hensman’s propositions, particularly those pertaining to the different phases of strategy formation.