Client Evaluation of Three Welfare Programs

Three welfare programs—Social Security, Public Welfare, and Unemployment Compensation—are compared with respect to client evaluations of services received. To structure this comparison, an independent variable of administrative program is derived from three components, namely, climate, technology, and clientele. Data on client evaluation are obtained from exit interviews of clients as they leave welfare offices. A hypothesized order of client satisfaction among the three programs is supported empirically in large measure. It is proposed that the field of comparative administration concern itself more with such comparisons instead of concentrating on cross-national comparisons.