Williams, C.C., Aldridge, T., Lee, R. et al. (3 more authors) (2001) Bridges into Work? An Evaluation of Local Exchange and Trading Schemes (LETS). Policy Studies, 22 (2). pp. 119-132. ISSN 0144-2872
Abstract
Recently, the policy community has been paying particular attention to Local Exchange and Trading Schemes (LETS) as potential bridges into work for the unemployed. Up until now, however, there has only been piecemeal evidence on whether LETS are effective in this regard. In this paper, therefore, the full results of the first comprehensive evaluation of LETS are reported. In order to feed into the 'evidence-based policy-making' process, we evaluate whether LETS are effective first, as bridges into employment, second, as bridges into self-employment and, third and finally, at building reciprocal exchange networks. Our finding is that although LETS provide an indirect bridge into employment by improving employability, they are most effective as seedbeds for the development of self-employed business ventures and as vehicles for facilitating exchange beyond employment. For LETS to become more effective bridges into work for a wider range of the unemployed, nevertheless, a number of barriers to participation need to be tackled. The paper concludes by outlining how this could be achieved.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2001 Policy Studies Institute |
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 10:07 |
Last Modified: | 16 Mar 2016 06:01 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01442870127252 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/01442870127252 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:93780 |