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Digitally-induced change in the public sector: a systematic review and research agenda
Open accessAbstract
Digital transformation has become a buzzword that is permeating multiple fields, including public administration and management. However, it is unclear what is transformational and how incremental and transformational change processes are linked. Using the PRISMA method, we conduct a systematic literature review to structure this growing body of evidence. We identified 164 studies on digitally-induced change and provide evidence for their drivers, implementation processes, and outcomes. We derive a theoretical framework that shows which incremental changes happen in public administrations that are implementing digital technologies and what their cumulative, transformative effects are on society as a whole.
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Metadata
- Authors
- Haug, N., Dan, S., & Mergel, I.
- Affiliations
- University of Konstanz (DE)
- University of Vaasa (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Haug, Nathalie
- Venue
- Public Management Review
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2023-07-13
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1963-1987
- ISSN
- 1461-667X (ISSN-L)
- 1471-9037
- 1471-9045
- OpenAlex
- W4384341083
- Cited by
- 266
- References
- 80
- Citations by year
- 2026: 137 · 2025: 93 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 2
- FWCI
- 49.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Public Management Review (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Osuva (University of Vaasa) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- KOPS (University of Konstanz) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- he European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No (770356)
- project CoVal. This article reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained herein
- The article is also part of research supported by Liikesivistysrahasto – The Foundation for Economic Education in Finland (200264)
- This project received funding from the European Union under grant agreement (101061516)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › E-Government and Public Services
- Social Sciences › Public Administration › Public Policy and Administration Research
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Public Administration and Political Analysis
- Keywords
- digital transformation, public sector, public administration, incremental change, transformative change, digital technologies, drivers of change, implementation process, change outcomes, social impact
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