1. ‘Human Trafficking in Scotland:
towards a more cooperative
inter-organizational framework’
Alexa Anderson is a researcher and consultant working within the third
sector specialising in the topic of Human Trafficking.
‘…working with other individuals and organisations can be extremely
challenging, and involves a lot of learning’ (Johnson & Wilson, 2009)
This report aims to analyse co-operation within inter-organisational relationships between stakeholders
surrounding the institutional landscape of human trafficking in Scotland, concluding with suitable
recommendations for a more effective co-operative framework. Co-operation between stakeholders
working within multi-agency interventions regarding human trafficking in Scotland was deemed an
appropriate topic for it being; an area of personal, academic and professional interest and through its
complex and controversial nature, illustrating a valuable ‘real world’ issue worthy of investigation as
well as a suitable example of institutional development and a development management problem.
Qualitative data research through the technique of semi-structured interviews as part of an attempt to
gather new data as a form of primary research was supported by triangulation, stakeholder analysis,
influence diagram and SWOT/C analysis. Ultimately, this report suggests that working in partnership at
multiple levels as part of co-operative strategic frameworks is the recommended approach.
As illustrated by the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group ‘Human Trafficking is a global phenomenon
and the nature of the crime is such that no one country or agency acting on its own can tackle
it effectively. The key to eradicating trafficking is partnership working-at a local, national and
international level’ (2012, 7). It is suggested that an ability to appreciate, understand, evaluate and
strategically-manage different forms of inter-organisational relationships will contribute towards the
implementation of an effective co-operative framework. As evoked by Musto ‘…cooperation [across
professional boundaries] is required to deal with the phenomenon effectively’ (2010, 385).
‘[T]he means to fight this crime lie in the hands of the world’s citizens’
(Lydia Cacho 2012 7) and ‘…for now, to improve our knowledge about
trafficking, we should advance one small, but thorough, step at a time’
(Tyldum, 2010, 11-12)
‘…the reality is that wherever we live, regardless of city or nation, some form
of human trafficking exists’ (Hepburn and Simon, 2013, 1)
Key Broad Conclusions
• Although goodwill and a
number of key partnerships exist
between stakeholders significant
improvements are required
• There is a plethora of institutional
barriers currently limiting effective
inter-organisational relationships
requiring recognition and
evaluation
• A significant number of issues
surround attitudes towards
horizontal forms of co-operation
• In order to achieve more
sustainable, long-term and effective
relationships between stakeholders,
capacity-building, trust, mutual
recognition and participation play
pivotal roles
• The Scottish Government are
required to adopt a clear and
coherent stance in order to
contribute towards Scotland
becoming a zero-tolerance and
‘hostile’ place for human trafficking
• Co-operative working is currently
being limited through unsuccessful/
non-existent strategic management
of inter-organisational
relationships.