Offical suggests traditional paperwork methods might not universally require digitization. - Government Official Fails to Implement Digital Transformation in Administrative Procedures
Thuringia's Minister of Reform, Steffen Schuetz, underscores the need for a strategic approach to digitization in the public sector. He argued that not every administrative process necessitates digital transformation. Schuetz pointed out that if a business has inadequate processes, they should be reconstructed or dismantled, not digitized. He adds that this concept is often overlooked in the public sector, where dysfunctional processes are maintained and, at times, digitized.
Schuetz emphasized that the focusing point in the digitization process should be the work processes themselves. He called for clarity on which regulations and reporting obligations are essential, what the state must provide, and what not.
Recent research indicates Thuringia lags behind other federal states in terms of digitization. In the Bitkom State Index 2024, Thuringia ranked last with 49.6 points, while Hamburg scored 73.5 points. Thuringia also performed poorly in the Germany Index of Digitization 2023 by the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems.
The minister's views align with broader calls for rapid progress in digital initiatives to benefit businesses, the state, and citizens. He advocates for daring and timely action in digitization efforts, underscoring the importance of achieving tangible societal benefits within a reasonable timeframe.
While Thuringia actively strives for innovation and digitization as part of its economic and structural development, specific comparative data with other states remains unavailable. Research institutions like the ZEW (Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research) support regional innovation and digital advancement, but the state's digitization ranking relative to other federal states is not detailed in the available information.
The community policy in Thuringia could benefit from vocational training programs that focus on technology and digital skills, aligning with the minister's call for efficient work processes. Financing these training initiatives and fostering a business-friendly environment for technological innovations could accelerate the state's digitization progress, bridging the gap with other federal states.
