Organisational prerequisites and discretion for first-line managers in public, private and cooperative geriatric care

The geriatric care in Sweden has undergone extensive changes during the last 15 years with an increasing amount of private and cooperative actors providing the care. This report explores the prerequisites for first-line managers at seven elderly care institutions with private, public and cooperative owners. It is a qualitative, comparative study covering issues related to the organisational setting, demands, resources, responsibility and possibilities for the manager to communicate with the administrative department and with responsible politicians. The results presented can contribute with knowledge and ideas that can be useful for owners of elderly care enterprises, managers at different levels, HR professionals, researchers within the field and others who work with issues concerning organisation, staff and work environment.