Från digitalt utanförskap till inkludering inom äldreomsorgen

Att navigera en policy för digital inkludering genom en kommunal förvaltning

Abstract

From Digital Exclusion to Inclusion: Navigating a Policy for Digital Inclusion of Elderly within a Municipal Administration

This article provides new insights into the realization of digital inclusion policies for the elderly within municipal administration. Drawing on a case study of a Swedish municipality and guided by practice theory, the study highlights key characteristics of the policy’s realization process. The findings reveal that navigating a digital inclusion policy within a municipal organization is inherently challenging. Such policies often lack clear problem definitions and predefined solutions, and their crosssectoral nature complicates integration into a single administrative department.

The primary contribution of the article is its demonstration of how theories on cross-sectoral policy areas can provide a knowledge base for understanding and addressing the challenges of policy realization. This contribution is particularly relevant for a research field often described as theoretically underdeveloped. By linking practice theory with cross-sectoral policy studies, the article highlights how public administration can better navigate and support digital inclusion initiatives for elderly populations.