Responsible Digital Transformation of Social Welfare Organizations

Abstract

Digitalization will extensively change what kind of social services social welfare states will provide in the future and how these services are delivered. In addition, organization and financing will alter fundamentally. In Germany, a greater part of social services is organized by social welfare organizations. Digitalization will not only change social services, but also social welfare organizations. Until now, systematic concepts about responsible digital transformation for social welfare organizations are missing and there are no models for social welfare organizations to initiate, design and implement social innovation processes. This chapter gives an overview about organizational development and innovation in the context of social services. Further, ideas for a responsible digital transformation of social welfare organizations are provided and illustrated by an example of the social welfare organization: Workers’ Samaritan Federation North Rhine-Westphalia registered association (ASB NRW e.V.).