“We don’t have a choice – we need to change!” A case study on experienced efficiency and the manager role in the home care

Abstract: Efficiency requirements are today found in all Swedish municipalities and regions. With the care manager in lead, the home care organisations are today expected to find efficient solutions to organisational problems. The case of the care manager is studied through a thematic analysis of interview data and recruitment announcements. From 11 interviews with care managers and 23 care managers recruitment profiles, certain similarities and differences are found. By applying theories such as transformational leader and manager role as well as leadership behaviours on the collected material, this thesis aims at broadening knowledge on the relations between the efficiency and the manager’s role, including their tasks and the organisation of home care. This thesis shows that the care managers are well aware of the efficiency requirements in the elderly care, however, in contrast to earlier research, they do not perceive the political decisions as demanding as their fellow managers did. Furthermore, the role of the care manager is a complex position which requires different behaviours. Consequently, the managers see a new form of home care appearing, where the main tasks of the managers are to guide the employees towards a smarter use of the resources. This shows a shift in thinking and which will have to follow in the rest of the society, too.