Digital by default? A qualitative study of exclusion in digitalised welfare

Jannick Schou, Anja Svejgaard Pors

Publikation: Artikel i tidsskrift og konference artikel i tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

Digitalisation reforms have become increasingly pervasive across European welfare agencies and public sector institutions. As welfare provision becomes premised on the use of digital technologies, often in the form of “self‐service” solutions, new demands are imposed on citizens, including already disadvantaged groups. Although existing research has showcased how digitalisation often reproduces existing lines of stratification, little to no work has been conducted on such processes in the context of welfare provision and public administration. Through a study of citizen service centres in Denmark, based on ethnographic observations and qualitative interviews, this article analyses the new exclusionary mechanisms that emerge at the frontline of the digital agenda. The article argues that digitalised welfare agencies simultaneously sustain existing lines of social stratification and enhance these by producing new forms of digital exclusion. Taken together, the article contributes with new knowledge on the impact of digitalisation policies and their exclusionary consequences for disadvantaged citizens.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftSocial Policy and Administration
Sider (fra-til)1-14
ISSN0144-5596
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 23 nov. 2018

Emneord

  • social citizenship
  • public sector
  • reform
  • welfare agencies
  • exclusion
  • Digitalisation

Fingeraftryk

Dyk ned i forskningsemnerne om 'Digital by default? A qualitative study of exclusion in digitalised welfare'. Sammen danner de et unikt fingeraftryk.

Citationsformater