Transforming professional values in an automated public sector

Purpose Many public sector caseworkers experience the shift to digital administration as having changed their daily practices – especially in relation to their professional values. The purpose of this study is to find out in which ways these values have changed and how automation affect caseworkers’ possibilities of acting in accordance with their professional values. Design/methodology/approach Based on an interpretative case study-approach, we have conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with public caseworkers in Sweden: eight in social work and seven at a driving license department. Findings were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and a framework of value positions for e-government. Findings We found that the following professional values were brought to the fore: equal treatment of clients and rule-adherence were emphasized, accountability of decisions was questioned in one organization, efficiency mainly increased and service-level was mainly improved. Other professional values affected by automation were that time for relational work increased and the discretion to make individual assessments decreased. Originality/value The study is original in how it addresses value positions by intersecting literature on e-government and sociology of professions. The study is also original by comparing caseworkers at different administrative levels, national and municipal.