Unveiling the drivers of digital governance adoption in public administration

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors, both internal and external, that impact the adoption of digital governance in public administration. The quantitative data were collected through online questionnaires from 556 public servants, all of whom were enrolled in a Master of Public Administration program, representing a variety of public organizations, in a non-random way. The study draws from a comprehensive literature review and leverages structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis to derive empirical insights. The empirical analysis revealed positive relationships between digital governance, service quality, safety, trust, and transparency within public services. Contrary to previous results, internal factors such as leadership, organizational culture, and skillsets do not exhibit significant impacts. Overall, the study supports the idea that improving the quality of digital services and embracing innovative technologies are key drivers of digital governance in public administration, leading to increased transparency and public trust. These findings can guide policymakers and administrators in implementing effective digital governance strategies tailored to the specific context of each public organization.