Main factors and causes that are influencing the digital competences of human resources

Abstract

The integration of digital technologies in public administration is influenced by the digital competences of human resources. The objectives of this research are to identify the main factors and causes that influence human resources’ level of digital competences and to find out the correlations between factors, causes, and digital competences. The survey was conducted within the National Agency of Civil Servants (NACS) responsible for the management of civil servants from the Romanian public administration. 25 variables were selected and grouped in three categories. The main research instruments used were: SPSS and Principal Component Analysis. According to the research results, the main factors influencing digital competences are social factors, extrinsic motivation factors, and administrative and managerial factors. The main causes with a relevant impact on digital competence development are data security and privacy risks, the dynamic of technologies, lack of continuity in ICT integration in organization activities, and excessive bureaucracy. All variables in the model have positive correlations. The results of the research are useful and interesting both for scholars and governmental institutions. The causes, factors, and correlations between them are discussed for the first time in the specialized literature and are raising up the key elements of digital competences that should be taken into account for an efficient digital transformation of public administration.