Struggling to care, voluntary sector work organization and employee commitment in the era of the quasi-market

In the context of a closer relationship between voluntary organizations and state funding bodies, the purpose of this thesis is to provide an understanding of how this relationship can reshape work organization and employee commitment in the voluntary sector. In doing so, the research is divided into two phases, each with distinct theoretical frameworks. Overall, the thesis finds an intensifying influence from state bodies on the sector in relation to HR policies, practice and work organization. Voluntary organizations are not passive in this relationship and there remain circumstances where they can resist unwanted changes to the employment relationship. At the same time, where voluntary organizations alter, for the worse, terms and conditions of employment in response to state pressure this is seen as having considerable detrimental consequences on employee commitment. This is despite the existence of strong value-based orientations to work within the sector.In the context of a closer relationship between voluntary organizations and state funding bodies, the purpose of this thesis is to provide an understanding of how this relationship can reshape work organization and employee commitment in the voluntary sector. In doing so, the research is divided into two phases, each with distinct theoretical frameworks. Overall, the thesis finds an intensifying influence from state bodies on the sector in relation to HR policies, practice and work organization. Voluntary organizations are not passive in this relationship and there remain circumstances where they can resist unwanted changes to the employment relationship. At the same time, where voluntary organizations alter, for the worse, terms and conditions of employment in response to state pressure this is seen as having considerable detrimental consequences on employee commitment. This is despite the existence of strong value-based orientations to work within the sector