Master Thesis in Strategic Human Resource Management and 
                     Labour Relations 
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
              The complexity of Labour Market Programmes 
                   A case study in the retail sector 
                           
                    Author: Charlotta Berlin 
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Department for Sociology/ 
      Department of Business Administration 
      Thesis: 30 hp 
      Supervisors: Ola Bergström and Vedran Omanović 
      Semester:  Spring 2016 
       
       
                          
      Abstract 
       
      Problematization: Previous studies have mainly focused on the long-term effects of 
      youth unemployment and the effects of labour market programmes (hereby referred to 
      as LMP) as well as comparisons between different types of LMPs, predominantly on 
      macro-economic level.  There is therefor a lack of knowledge of the experience of being a 
      participant of a LMP. Additionally, little has been explored in an organizational context. 
      Furthermore, there is a need for more knowledge on different solutions to the overall 
      high rate of youth unemployment in society. 
       
      Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore what factors motivate organizations 
      and individuals to participate in LMPs. Moreover, the study aims to identify and explore 
      possible obstacles that might prevent secure developments of LMP implementation in 
      the retail labour market. 
       
      Methodology: The research was performed using a qualitative case study, and data was 
      conducted through semi-structured interviews and later analysed by using a deductive 
      content analysis.   
       
      Results: The trainees perceive their employment as an alternative for higher education 
      and as a chance for personal as well as social development, and as an opportunity to 
      learn specific skills. The supervisors personal preferences for participating was the 
      willingness to teach, manage and shape the trainee to fit their specific workplace, and an 
      engagement in the next generation. The main reason for Axfood to participate consists 
      mainly of the component that the LMP can be seen as a way for the company to attract, 
      retain and develop talented employees. The main obstacles for poor implementation of 
      the LMP were found to be the vague employer brand of the retail market and the limited 
      criteria for participating as a trainee. Further, the results suggest a tendency for the 
      company to try and find “the right candidate”, although the desired features of that 
      candidate do not match the existing criteria for participation. 
       
      Key words: Youth unemployment, active labour market policies, labour market 
      programmes, Governmentality, Institutional Isomorphism. 
                          
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
                          
      Acknowledgements 
       
       
      First and foremost I would like to thank my supervisors Ola Bergström and Vedran 
      Omanović for their helpful and much appreciated guidance during challenging as well as 
      successful times. I am truly grateful for your patience and insightful feedback during this 
      process. I would also like to thank the participants of this study, for their generosity and 
      sharing of time and accessibility to their organization and respective workplace. Thank 
      you.  
       
      Charlotta Berlin, 
      Gothenburg, August 18 2016