The self-employed in employment administration : a framework analysis according to Goffman

Abstract

"The analysis of the interaction in the labour administration follows on from Goffman's framework analysis. The central concept of this article is that the interacting participants orient themselves in the primary frameworks of the interviews on start-up support on the expectation horizon 'standardisation'. The discussion of the self-employment projects of the insured thus take place under the point of view of bureaucratic activity, with the consequence that expectations which relate to the alternative horizons of individual case orientation and the appropriate start-up advisory services, are either not covered or only on the periphery. However, in some interactions, the primary framework was transformed as an administrative act in such a way that standardisation receded behind the orientation of what was adequate to the individual case or to start-up advice. However such transformations are unstable situative achievements that can collapse at any time and can throw the discussion back once more to the basal primary framework. As a consequence this leads to the start-up support of the public labour administration not fulfilling all expectations with which they find themselves confronted. The article is divided into four sections. We begin by giving an introduction to the "Gründungszuschuss" (start-up grant), the subject to be studied, and by presenting the qualitative implementation study to which the remarks refer (1). In the next section, Goffman's theoretic perspectives are reiterated and then the expectation horizon sketched from which competing imperatives for action for the placement discussion can be deduced (2). In the third section, it is argued that the primary frameworks of the interaction refer to the expectation horizon of standardisation, that is, the allocation of a start-up grant (3.1). Next, examples are listed for the primary framework of discussion sequences as the allocation of the start-up grant (3.2) as well as the transformation of this framework to start-up advice or help with decision-making orientated on the individual case (3.3). Finally the article is summarized by looking at the consequences that can be drawn in Goffman's terms from the analysis for the evaluation of everyday practice at employment offices (4)." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku)

Cite article

Bernhard, S. (2012): Selbständige in der Arbeitsverwaltung. Eine Rahmenanalyse nach Goffman. In: M. Bereswill, C. Figlestahler, L. Y. Haller, M. Perels & F. Zahradnik (Hrsg.) (2012): Wechselverhältnisse im Wohlfahrtstaat : Dynamiken gesellschaftlicher Justierungsprozesse, p. 233-254.