The focus of this thesis is an idea named “brukarforum”, a form of collective user participation in residential care. The main purpose of the study is to gain deeper knowledge about “brukarforum” as an idea and its process of institutionalization, i.e. to study whether, and if so in what way, the idea “brukarforum” has become a regular activity in the local practice within the Swedish National Board of Institutional Care (Statens institutionsstyrelse) SiS. Based on new institutional theory, which holds the notion that people ́s action are connected to expectations and habits, the idea of “brukarforum” was traced 2003 – 2013 from government - wide perspective. The study ́s data consist of documents and semi - structured interviews. The documents were collected fro m SiS and informants with several years of experience from that organization were interviewed. The results of the study show that “brukarforum” was regularly carried out in every institution at SiS in 2013, about nine years after the idea of “brukarforum” first was introduced within the organization. This makes it possible to conclude that “brukarforum”, as an idea, has been institutionalized. However, results also show that the design and content of “brukarforum”, i.e. the practical implementation, differ between the various local institutions within SiS. A model for traveling ideas by Czarniawska and Joerges (1996) is used in the analysis of the results. This analysis, together with new institutional theory, provides a platform for the author to argue that trendy ideas, such as New Public Management and Evidence Based Practice, along with demands from the surrounding society, have impelled SiS to set up a system for user participation. The author concludes that although the importance of gaining legitimacy for the organization and its activities has been priority. Social development shows that new forms for user participation are on the rise, creating new opportunities and challenges for SiS to reinterpret the idea of “brukarforum” and ensure its continued t ravel within the organization
