Williams, C.C. (2001) Tackling the Participation of the Unemployed in Paid Informal Work: A Critical Evaluation of the Deterrence Approach. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 19 (5). pp. 729-749. ISSN 0263-774X
Abstract
In this paper I evaluate critically the use of deterrence to tackle the participation of the unemployed in paid informal work. On the basis of the assumption that the paid informal work of the unemployed is low-paid employment conducted for unadulterated economic reasons, the aim is to deter these rational economic actors by ensuring that the expected cost of being caught and punished is greater than the benefit of participating in such activity. Using structured interviews with the unemployed in UK lower income urban neighbourhoods, however, I found that pure economic motivations do not predominate when the unemployed participate in this work. Instead, such work is principally used to help out others, or to cement or forge social networks, or both. In consequence, I argue that there is a need to couple deterrence with the provision of alternative coping mechanisms in order to eradicate paid informal work. I conclude by proposing several policy initiatives that could act as a substitute for such work.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | Copyright © 2001 by SAGE Publications |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Management School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 03 Feb 2016 10:26 |
Last Modified: | 11 Mar 2016 06:14 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/c14m |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1068/c14m |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:93779 |