Abstract

The paper aims to propose a discussion about organizational structures of child protection services. In Italy and above all in Lombardia there is a wide discretion for the municipalities to organize the child protection services. Starting from the concept of institutional isomorphism offered by Powell and Di Maggio a study has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to collect data about the management choices realized by each municipality of this Region to organize the child protection service. Information have been gained through the analysis of official documents and a survey administered to child protection services managers. The concept of isomorphism in the three main types (mimetic, normative and coercive) supported the results emerged from the analysis, with a view to understanding the variety of existing organizational forms.