Abstract

Since the Act Regarding Support and Service to Certain Functionally Handicapped Persons (LSS) were introduced in 1994, social care and service have increased inSweden(SFS 1993:387). The implementation of the act has caused many changes and also progress within the social care system. One main change is the division between public (provided by the municipalities) and private care providers. This division has led to many questions about how leadership is organized within different public and private organizations.

The purpose of this study is to investigate differences between leader’s experiences of their role and working conditions within private and public assistance care for disabled. The study is based on a qualitative method and material e. g. literature and six interviews with leaders in middle position and who work within public and private assistance care for disabled. Based on this we have concluded that the leadership of these organizations is not different as such, but since the organizations themselves formulates rules and attitudes they also shape different styles for leadership. Some differences that emerged in the result was that private organizations have a beneficial interest in its activities to develop the company, while the municipal aims to meet the need and contentment for a certain cost. The leaders of the private organizations have more responsibilities and authority which is perceived by the leaders that while developing leaders from municipal organizations feel the opposite. Other differences that occurred in the result are that the leaders of the private organizations have more pressure to succeed and therefore less secure in their employment. The leaders from municipal organizations comply with rules, guidelines and practices that contribute to a more secure employment for them.