P37 SIG Digital and agile transformation in the public sector
Corresponding chair
Greta Nasi, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University (Italy) greta.nasi@unibocconi.it
Review group chair
M. Jae Moon, Department of Public Administration, Yonsei University (South Korea)
Co-Chairs
Mila Gasco-Hernandez, Center for Technology in Government and Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, State University of New York (United States)
Albert Meijer, School of Governance, Utrecht University (The Netherlands)
Ines Mergel, Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz (Germany)
Description
Governments have adopted information and communication technologies (ICT) in various phases. In the current wave, public agencies are reconsidering how they organise administrative processes and deliver public services by embracing innovative approaches to working with stakeholders, establishing new frameworks for service delivery, and forging novel relationships.
Moreover, the public sector is witnessing the emergence of new modes of service design and agile methods within administrative routines. These transformative work processes and cultural elements hold immense potential for reshaping the public sector. By adopting agile principles and practices, governments can effectively navigate the complexities of digitalization, enhance citizen services, and improve overall governance. To provide theoretical and empirical contributions in this field, we are interested in papers that delve into these areas, such as those exploring agile approaches to digital transformation, ICT-enabled stakeholder engagement in public services, ICT-enabled citizen-government relationships, collaborative governance through ICT, agile practices in public administration, ICT-enabled service design in the public sector, and user-centred design in government.
Theoretical framework and Methods
The purpose of the panel is to develop a more nuanced understanding of agile theory and methods and their application in digital transformation of public administrations. In particular, it aims to shed further light on understanding the theory and methods behind the adoption of agile principles in the context of digital transformation efforts. The panel welcomes contributions from both new and experienced scholars. Papers can be theoretical, conceptual or empirical. The latter may adopt qualitative and quantitative research designs.
In addition, we welcome studies adopting different theoretical frameworks. Thus, our starting point is to encourage research on innovative approaches to service design and agile methods in administrative procedures. This means that we call for research that investigates the adoption and implementation of agile methodologies in digital transformation projects and the integration of user-centric design principles within agile digital transformation.
Contribution to the field public management
This panel contributes to the field of public management by enhancing our understanding of agile theory and methods and their application in public management and offering insights
into the potential benefits and challenges of agile digital transformation in the public sector.
Through theoretical and empirical studies, it will also contribute to identify practical strategies and best practices for successful agile adoption in government organizations and increase awareness of the contributions of agile digital transformation to public service delivery.
The panel will provide valuable insights and research findings, fostering an interactive and informative discussion on agile digital transformation in public management. We believe that the panel will contribute to the knowledge exchange and inspire public sector scholars to investigate agile practices for driving innovation and improving citizen services.
This panel, therefore, aims at advancing the theory and practice of agile digital transformation in public organizations. We aim at hosting papers that address (not exclusively) the following topics:
- The necessary internal changes need to happen for digital and agile transformation to be successful.
- New modes of interaction with the participants in the digital transformation
- Service design methodologies applied to digital services.
- The process of introducing and implementing agile methods in the routines of public administrations
- Organizational, procedural, and technological outcomes of a digitally transformed public administration.
- The role of organizational and/or institutional factors in the implementation of digital transformation
- Digital transformation competencies and digital transformation methods
- The changing relationships with digital transformation stakeholders
- Value creation in digital transformation projects
- Participation in digital transformation
SIG: Digital and agile transformation of the public sector
Keywords: digital transformation, e-government, agile methodologies, agile innovation