Digital Transformation of Public Services in a Startup-Based Environment: Job Perceptions, Relationships, Potentialities and Restrictions

Abstract

Digital transformation in public administration needs to be accompanied by more dynamic and intelligent strategies, which effect cultural change. Inspired by the business culture of startups, in 2021 the Brazilian government created the StartUp GOV.BR program to develop and accelerate the development of digital transformation projects within the Federal Government. This program aims to make digital transformation processes more proactive and flexible and generate more profitable operations. In this work, we investigated the perception of ICT practitioners (members of startups) about the program and the issues that surround it. Our goal was to identify relations, potentialities and restrictions of this program to contribute to outlining growth strategies, as well as the assets and capabilities needed to successfully transform digital public services in a startup-based environment. For this purpose, we conducted 23 focus groups with up to 12 people, totaling 175 participants. Then, we fully transcribed and qualitatively analyzed the data from each of the focus groups based on Grounded Theory. As a result, we developed maps of relationships between categories, along with narratives that help explain and understand the members’ perception of the StartUp GOV.BR program. We also listed 34 points for improvement and 62 actions to be taken to improve the program. The results achieved in this work can contribute to a research agenda of initiatives towards the Digital Transformation of public services in governments around the world combining innovative digital strategies based on the perspective of professionals.