Fler äldre, färre händer – vägen framåt : Hållbar kompetensförsörjning som politisk utmaning: en fallstudie av äldreomsorgen i Kalmar kommun

More elderly, fewer hands: The way forward Sustaining the care workforce as a political challenge – A case study of elderly care in Kalmar Municipality This study examines how Human Capital Theory and New Public Management are reflected in the governance of eldercare in Kalmar municipality. Based on document analysis and interviews with politicians and senior officials, the study shows that investments in staff competence and well-being coexist with efficiency-oriented management practices. Rather than being contradictory, these approaches are often combined in everyday governance. The study concludes that the main challenge is not funding, but capacity and that sustainable eldercare depends on aligning national goals with local conditions and strong human capital. Taken together, the findings highlight the importance of long-term competence strategies and adaptive leadership. It also suggests that resilient welfare governance emerges when efficiency and learning are treated as mutually reinforcing rather than competing goals.