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When a Human Says “No” to a Computer: Frontline Oversight of the Profiling Algorithm in Public Employment Services in Poland

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  2. Society & Social Sciences
  3. Sozialer Fortschritt
  4. Vol. 71, Issue 6–7
  5. pp. 465–487

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Sztandar-Sztanderska, K., Zieleńska, M. When a Human Says “No” to a Computer: Frontline Oversight of the Profiling Algorithm in Public Employment Services in Poland. Sozialer Fortschritt, 71(6–7), 465-487. https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.71.6-7.465
Sztandar-Sztanderska, Karolina and Zieleńska, Marianna "When a Human Says “No” to a Computer: Frontline Oversight of the Profiling Algorithm in Public Employment Services in Poland" Sozialer Fortschritt 71.6–7, 2022, 465-487. https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.71.6-7.465
Sztandar-Sztanderska, Karolina/Zieleńska, Marianna (2022): When a Human Says “No” to a Computer: Frontline Oversight of the Profiling Algorithm in Public Employment Services in Poland, in: Sozialer Fortschritt, vol. 71, iss. 6–7, 465-487, [online] https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.71.6-7.465
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When a Human Says “No” to a Computer: Frontline Oversight of the Profiling Algorithm in Public Employment Services in Poland

Sztandar-Sztanderska, Karolina | Zieleńska, Marianna

Sozialer Fortschritt, Vol. 71 (2022), Iss. 6–7 : pp. 465–487

2 Citations (CrossRef)

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Article Details

Publisher Name
Duncker & Humblot
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.71.6-7.465
Language
German
Pages
23
Keywords

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Author Details

Sztandar-Sztanderska, Dr. Karolina, Faculty of Sociology, University of Warsaw, ul. Karowa 18, 00-927 Warszawa.

Zieleńska, Dr. Marianna, Faculty of Sociology, University of Warsaw, ul. Karowa 18, 00-927 Warszawa.

Cited By

  1. The stealth legitimization of a controversial policy tool: Statistical profiling in French Public Employment Service

    Delpierre, Alizée | Demazière, Didier | El Fatihi, Hajar

    Regulation & Governance, Vol. 18 (2024), Iss. 2 P.499

    https://doi.org/10.1111/rego.12541 [Citations: 2]

  2. Que sait‐on du travail ?

    Que sait‐on du travail ?

    2023

    https://doi.org/10.3917/scpo.colle.2023.01.0561 [Citations: 0]

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Abstract

Based on the case study of profiling algorithm implemented in local Public Employment Services in Poland, the article analyses frontline oversight over the automated decision-making system (ADM). Putting humans in the decision-­making loop is considered an accountability mechanism in a digital welfare state. Using evidence coming from interviews, documents, and statistics, the article takes a closer look at whether and why – despite critical attitude towards the algorithm – street-level bureaucrats were reluctant to say “no” to a computer. Research indicates that the reluctance to override automatic results at street-level is a context-dependent phenomenon, in which policy and organisational factors play a role, alongside invisible discretionary practices of working around ADM without overtly correcting it.

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Karolina Sztandar-Sztanderska / Marianna Zieleńska: When a Human Says “No” to a Computer: Frontline Oversight of the Profiling Algorithm in Public Employment Services in Poland 1
Abstract 1
Zusammenfassung: Wenn ein Mensch „Nein“ zu einem Computer sagt: Frontline-Überwachung des Profiling-Algorithmus in öffentlichen Arbeitsverwaltungen in Polen 2
1. Introduction 2
2. The Impact of ICTs on Decision-Making Processes at the Street-Level 4
3. The Implementation of Computerised Profiling in Labour Market Policy in Poland 5
4. Methods 8
5. Frontline Oversight of the Profiling Algorithm in PES – the Results of the Study 1
5.1 Policy-Level Factors – the Ambiguous Policy and Electronic Surveillance 1
5.2 Organisational Factors – Management as a Policy-Intermediary and the Role of Working Conditions 1
5.3 Individual Differences – Responsibility for Decision-Making and the Use of Workarounds 1
6. Concluding Remarks 1
7. Annex 2
References 2

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