Standardized services and trimmed cases: Institutional ethnography in social work projects for drug addicts

The study addresses how government procurement mechanisms shape social work practices in community-based rehabilitation projects for non-local drug users in China. Drawing on institutional ethnography, the study examines how administrative directives, performance evaluation, and standardized documentation affect frontline social workers’ professional roles. Findings reveal that social work has transformed into a form of “administrative social work,” where social workers prioritize compliance over client-centered care. The study highlights tensions between institutional mandates and professional autonomy. This research contributes to understanding the role of institutional governance and the power of textually mediated practices in shaping professional social work.