Robotarna i socialtjänsten -en konkurrent eller ett komplement?

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study is to explore if, and if so, how the implementation of robots in the Swedishadministration of social assistance cash benefits has affected the social workers’ own view on theirprofession. The primary focus of the study is to uncover how digitalisation affects the profession ofsocial workers, what the professionals themselves highlight as important qualities to successfully carryout the work of a social worker, and how to obtain such knowledge. This study is based on fiveinterviews with social workers who work with robots on a daily basis. The theoretical framework ofthe thesis analysis is based on different concepts of professionalism. This study concludes that socialworkers perceive their work with social assistance in terms of two different roles, one with a focus onthe relational work with clients and one with the primary focus on control and administration. Withrobots, the administrative part of the work could lessen, something that would increase face-to-faceencounters. This study indicates that the use of robots has an impact on the organization of the work,and in the future it is possible that we will see a new organizational structure to the social welfareoffices.