HUMAN-SERVICES AS SERVICE INDUSTRIES

Human services industries are defined as the sob-set of service indust ries that deal in the provision of services to consumers with the aim of bringing about beneficial change in those consumers. A number of ch aracteristics of such services are discussed including the influence o f value systems and ideologies, their sources of finance, their hetero geneity and the issue of consumer choice. These and other characterist ics are seen as crucial influences on human services management and or ganisation structure, service delivery technology and quality assuranc e.