Mapping digital paths to integration in local municipalities in Sogn og Fjordane: The case of Stryn municipality
The overall goal of this project was to develop a better insight into how Stryn municipality meets the informational needs of immigrants through digital channels and services. The project provides an understanding of the status quo, the success factors, and challenges regarding integration, with specific insight into how access to digital information and nature of information flows influences possibilities of achieving a holistic integration in local communities. The report is based on a qualitative study. The empirical data was obtained through focus group discussions and usability tests with immigrants and individual interviews with public representatives/personnel. Document studies (i.e. review of web pages and physical documents) were also part of the methodological tools.
Main findings: Although the municipality website stryn.kommune.no, has many positive integrative information/services aimed at meeting the needs of the immigrants, a lot was lacking especially in regard to meeting general principles for good public website usability. For instance, much of the information in question was out-dated and was sender-oriented (as the users were not initially involved in the development of immigrant-related information) and few interactive services were available. In addition, there was limited digital information ‘tailored’ for immigrants and refugees at stryn.kommune.no. Also, the primary information is predominantly in Norwegian (nynorsk).
Although the services on the municipality’s web pages were perceived as available and understandable among some of the informants in the focus group, the usability tests indicated that the services, information and webpages were difficult to access and to navigate. This was attributed to several factors including poor language proficiency, congested webpages, poor digital competence and preference for face-to-face or/and telephone communication with personnel at the municipal offices.
Recommendations: Several recommendations have been suggested to improve practice, some of which include:
- Closer collaboration with end-users as a resource for generating more relevant and effective web content.
- The need for systematic training in using digital tools and services. Such training ought to be integrated as a part of the introduction programme.
- Supplementing or redesigning ‘Ny I Stryn’ on the front page to integrate visuals that provide information in a very clear-cut and simple way, where maps, images, illustrations and icons support the text. The information ought to be relevant and accessible for someone who has limited Norwegian language proficiency and or limited social network. This box must be developed in close interaction with target users.
- Inter-cultural training for public service personnel
The study acknowledges that Stryn municipality in Sogn og Fjordane is an exemplary municipality in spearheading the integration of immigrants within their communities. This, they are doing through a well formulated municipal apparatus that, in collaboration with other entities such as NAV, local businesses, voluntary organization and others, are locally
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implementing the nationwide ‘Introductions program ’targeted mainly at refugees and asylum seekers but also serves labour immigrants. However, despite the protracted and bright efforts so far, a lot remains to be done to meet the needs of minorities/immigrants in the local municipality. Public information service delivery especially digital service delivery is one such area that requires multi-dimensional and concerted efforts particularly because we cannot ignore the fact that we live in and heavily operate in an information society/digital age – and no one should be excluded.
Main findings: Although the municipality website stryn.kommune.no, has many positive integrative information/services aimed at meeting the needs of the immigrants, a lot was lacking especially in regard to meeting general principles for good public website usability. For instance, much of the information in question was out-dated and was sender-oriented (as the users were not initially involved in the development of immigrant-related information) and few interactive services were available. In addition, there was limited digital information ‘tailored’ for immigrants and refugees at stryn.kommune.no. Also, the primary information is predominantly in Norwegian (nynorsk).
Although the services on the municipality’s web pages were perceived as available and understandable among some of the informants in the focus group, the usability tests indicated that the services, information and webpages were difficult to access and to navigate. This was attributed to several factors including poor language proficiency, congested webpages, poor digital competence and preference for face-to-face or/and telephone communication with personnel at the municipal offices.
Recommendations: Several recommendations have been suggested to improve practice, some of which include:
- Closer collaboration with end-users as a resource for generating more relevant and effective web content.
- The need for systematic training in using digital tools and services. Such training ought to be integrated as a part of the introduction programme.
- Supplementing or redesigning ‘Ny I Stryn’ on the front page to integrate visuals that provide information in a very clear-cut and simple way, where maps, images, illustrations and icons support the text. The information ought to be relevant and accessible for someone who has limited Norwegian language proficiency and or limited social network. This box must be developed in close interaction with target users.
- Inter-cultural training for public service personnel
The study acknowledges that Stryn municipality in Sogn og Fjordane is an exemplary municipality in spearheading the integration of immigrants within their communities. This, they are doing through a well formulated municipal apparatus that, in collaboration with other entities such as NAV, local businesses, voluntary organization and others, are locally
6
implementing the nationwide ‘Introductions program ’targeted mainly at refugees and asylum seekers but also serves labour immigrants. However, despite the protracted and bright efforts so far, a lot remains to be done to meet the needs of minorities/immigrants in the local municipality. Public information service delivery especially digital service delivery is one such area that requires multi-dimensional and concerted efforts particularly because we cannot ignore the fact that we live in and heavily operate in an information society/digital age – and no one should be excluded.
Publisert i 2015
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