Regulating uncertainty: Institutional implications of regulatory mechanisms for temporary accommodations for displaced persons in Germany and Sweden

Abstract

Regulations exist to provide a minimum standard for quality and delivery of service. However, during times of uncertainty, it is unclear as to how regulations are utilized within the immediate response. This dissertation focuses on the European Refugee Situation in 2015, analyzing the role of regulations amongst stakeholders tasked with providing temporary accommodation for displaced persons fleeing civil conflict. Data were collected and qualitatively analysed through semi-structured interviews with 54 individuals in Germany and 30 individuals in Sweden that represent government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private companies directly involved with temporary accommodations. First, a social network analysis is created to understand regulatory-related interactions between German stakeholders to identify in what ways regulations constrain, facilitate or are neutral in interactions. Second, exemptions and non-compliance of regulations in the Swedish context are analyzed using legitimacy theory and qualitative coding, finding a tension between humanitarian response (short-term) and developmental priorities (long-term). Lastly, interviews with Swedish enforcement agencies are isolated and qualitatively analyzed to understand types of enforcement that were used and how this relates to meeting the immediate need of temporary housing along with long-term implications to the housing supply. Findings from these analyses practically contribute to improving the efficiency of providing accommodation while ensuring safe living conditions for vulnerable populations. A theoretical contribution is provided through expansion of organizational theory and legitimacy theory by using normative and cultural-cognitive lens to analyze technical challenges.