Why Digitalization is NOT on the Local Political Agenda: Findings From Danish Local Governments

Abstract

Digitalization is at the very centre of recent development of local government processes, services to citizens, and even democracy. Nevertheless, digitalization is almost absent from the local political agenda in the most likely case of Danish local governments, which constitutes a democratic problem because important priorities are then taken outside of the local political system. Existing quantitative research on setting policy agendas fail to explain why digitalization is not on the local political agenda. A qualitative approach is applied and exclusive insights from interviewed mayors and CEOs are presented. Four main barriers are identified blocking digitalization from the local political agenda: Political role perception, lack of interest, lack of insight, and risks. Further the need of policy entrepreneurs and problem recognition are suggested as additional explanations to why digitalization is not on the local political agenda.