ABSTRACT
Despite their familiarity, the empirical observations that have been reported in this book are theoretically intriguing. They seem to be partly inconsistent with some standard and valuable treatments of institutionalization. While institutional research has illuminated institutionalization to a large extent, the observations proposed in my study capture essential aspects of institutionalization that have received inadequate attention. Therefore I believe this book can contribute to a revised understanding of the general process of organized institutionalization, and of the institutionalization of social welfare in particular.
