What does this research mean for the field?

Bureaucratic decision-making functions as an actor-network where traditional principles, managerialism, and algorithmic governance meld together, demonstrating that the transition from analogue to digital governance is less discontinuous than conventionally assumed. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine how administrative tools, digital artefacts, and organizational programming shape decision-making and discretionary power within the Swedish Enforcement Authority.

September 10, 2026Journal of Organizational SociologyOpen Access

Programmes, Actor–Networks, and Discretion: Bureaucracy in Action at the Swedish Enforcement Authority

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Authors

BLBengt LarssonLinnaeus University

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Implication

Qualitative study reveals how algorithmic tools reshape decision-making in public enforcement bureaucracy, suggesting digital governance evolves continuously alongside human discretion.

Key Points

To examine how administrative tools, digital artefacts, and organizational programming shape decision-making and discretionary power within the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
Conducted a qualitative investigation combining governance frameworks, discretion theory, and actor–network theory.
Analyzed institutional policy documents and semi-structured interviews to trace case-processing networks, technical tools, and decision workflows.
Bureaucratic regulations, managerial principles, and algorithmic governance integrate into a unified programming mechanism for organizational decisions.
Case management operates via actor–network mobilization between human actors and artefacts, demonstrating that the shift from analogue to digital governance is continuous rather than disruptive.
Bureaucratic discretion operates across multidimensional layers rather than as a binary presence or absence of autonomy.

Cite This Study

Bengt Larsson (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27a8e58559d80afc7342d https://doi.org/10.1515/joso-2025-0058

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Implication

Qualitative study reveals how algorithmic tools reshape decision-making in public enforcement bureaucracy, suggesting digital governance evolves continuously alongside human discretion.

Programmes, Actor–Networks, and Discretion: Bureaucracy in Action at the Swedish Enforcement Authority

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Programmes, Actor–Networks, and Discretion: Bureaucracy in Action at the Swedish Enforcement Authority

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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