LA DIFFÉRENCIATION QUALITATIVE DANS LES SERVICES DE L'AIDE À DOMICILE: UNE LECTURE PAR LES CONVENTIONS DE QUALITÉ/QUALITATIVE DIFFERENTIATION IN HOME AID SERVICES: A READING BY QUALITY AGREEMENTS

Qualitative uncertainty in care services reduces the possibility to differentiate qualities through the prices. In this situation, how do the users choose a provider whose quality is adapted to their expectations, and how do providers manage to signal their differences in quality? The judgments that qualify the providers' reputation are a device through which quality differences may be identified. The adjustment of the quality appears among the most important dimensions of this reputation. But this adaptation can take place according to distinct schemes. We have identified four conventions of quality according to which one can "read" the differences in quality on the market.