Exploring split shifts in Swedish elderly care: A case study through the lens of power resources theory

This article examines the use of split shifts—workdays divided into two periods with a long, unpaid break—in Swedish eldercare. Despite their widespread use, the structural factors driving this scheduling practice remain unclear. Using a case study approach and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), the study explores these factors across municipalities. Insights were drawn from interviews with HR managers, previous research, and power resource theory (PRT), which were used to identify and test relevant conditions. Empirically, the study highlights key drivers behind the use of split shifts; theoretically, it demonstrates how PRT can explain variations in working conditions. The findings reveal two distinct pathways: one involving a high proportion of elderly residents, economic hardship, and absence of a left-wing majority; the other replacing political orientation with high unemployment. These patterns support both the interview data and theoretical framework, showing how structural conditions shape staffing practices in eldercare.