Public service and digitalisation

The use of information technology in public service has expanded concurrently with the general development in information technology. The citizens' increasing use of computer and the Internet has meant that for instance digital self-service has gained ground because of the obvious possibilities and advantages for citizens as well as public authorities and institutions. The citizens have now access to information, forms and communication from the public authorities 24 hours a day. Municipalities, regions and the state could save a lot on handling papers and personal service and could "make cold hands warm", i.e. move resources from administration to treatment, nursing and care.  

Citizen participation and democracy

Public authorities' use of information technology is about more than self-service. It is also about new conditions for citizen participation and democracy and about new possibilities for sharing information internally among the employees and externally between the employees and the citizens. AKF has participated in a large study of media and democracy in a network society and looked at the consequences of information technology on local democracy. "E-governance" including citizens' self-service, knowledge sharing and e-democracy from a citizen perspective is also a central research area. 

Large potential for the municipalities

The Internet has only been in use for about 10 years. Quite a lot will still happen in this area and it will have far-reaching consequences for the relation between citizens and the public authorities. After the structural reform the new municipalities are assumed to use the potential of information technology extensively, e.g. by creating a new local affiliation and identity through e-communication with citizens and societies.

AKF's research within public service and digitalisation is especially relevant for politicians and other decision-makers in the area of information technology, e.g. information managers, webmasters etc.