Drawing on a qualitative, multiple-case study research conducted between 2016 and 2018, this thesis examines the daily work of three state-mandated organizations in charge of the operational management of reception: ORS Service AG, a for-profit company mandated by the canton of Fribourg; Asile Bienne & Région, a non-profit organization mandated by the canton of Bern; a local section of the Red Cross, mandated by the canton of Tessin. In the course of (participant) observations conducted in three reception centers for asylum seekers over a period of four months, the daily work of reception officers was observed. Occasional visits were also made to other centers managed by the same organizations. 42 semi-directive interviews were also conducted with a wide range of actors: management of the organizations, center managers, reception officers, and cantonal authorities. Many documents were also collected.
