P01 SIG Agile and Digital Transformation in the Public Sector

Panel chairs

Corresponding chair: Yanto Chandra, Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong (China): ychandra@cityu.edu.hk 

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.

Sorin Dan, School of Management, University of Vaasa (Finland)

Albert Meijer, School of Governance, Utrecht University (The Netherlands)

Ines Mergel, Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz (Germany)

M. Jae Moon, Department of Public Policy and Management, Yonsei University (South Korea)

Greta Nasi, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University (Italy)

Summary

This panel explores how governments are leveraging digital technologies—particularly AI and ICT—to drive institutional transformation, enhance service delivery, and adopt agile work practices. It focuses on the integration of agile principles and user-centered design in public sector innovation, emphasizing the need for adaptive governance in complex and uncertain environments. The panel invites theoretical and empirical contributions that examine digital transformation strategies, stakeholder engagement, and comparative approaches across different levels of government.

Decsription

Governments have increasingly embraced emerging digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in addition to various conventional information and communication technologies (ICT). They did this initially to improve internal efficiency and public service quality and now for the broader goal of digital transformation of institutional arrangements, organizational culture, decision-making processes, agile work practices, etc. In this current phase, public agencies are reevaluating their administrative processes and service delivery methods by adopting innovative approaches, creating new service delivery frameworks, and forming new relationships, especially as they navigate more complex and uncertain policy and technological landscapes.

The adoption of these transformative processes and cultural shifts has significant potential to reshape both processes and outcomes of governments. By incorporating agile principles and practices, governments can better manage the complexities of digitalization, enhance services for citizens and businesses, and improve the overall quality of governance.

To facilitate our theoretical and empirical understanding of this field and continued scholarly discussion in the 2026 Annual IRSPM Conference, we seek papers that explore various aspects, such as the link between public sector and government reform and digital transformation, agile approaches to digital transformation, ICT-enabled stakeholder engagement in public services, ICT-enhanced citizen-government interactions, collaborative governance through ICT, agile practices, ICT-driven service designs, and user-centered design in governments. The panel aims to develop a more profound and critical understanding of agile theories and methods, and their applications in the digital transformation of public administrations. Specifically, the panel seeks to deepen the understanding of the theories and methods underlying the adoption of agile principles in digital transformation efforts and to critically reflect on their implications for key governance dimensions. Considering the overarching theme of the 2026 annual conference, in particular, papers on agile and digital transformation initiatives that shape future innovation practices in public organizations are particularly encouraged.

In addition, the panel invites contributions from both emerging and established scholars. Submissions can be theoretical, conceptual, or empirical, using qualitative or quantitative research designs. Comparative studies across countries, sectors, and levels of government are also encouraged. We also welcome studies employing various theoretical frameworks. Our goal is to foster research on innovative service design approaches and agile methods in administrative procedures at local, regional, or central (federal) government levels.

We particularly call for research that examines the adoption and implementation of agile methodologies in digital transformation projects and the integration of user-centric design principles within agile and digital transformation initiatives.

Relevance

This panel aims to advance the field of public management by deepening our comprehension of agile theories and methodologies and their applications in the public sector. It will provide insights into the potential advantages and challenges of implementing agile digital transformation in the public sector. Through theoretical and empirical research, the panel will identify effective strategies and best practices for the successful adoption of agile methods in government organizations, thereby highlighting the contributions of agile digital transformation to enhancing public service delivery.

The panel will offer valuable insights and research findings, promoting an engaging and informative discussion on agile digital transformation in public management. We believe this panel will foster knowledge exchange and inspire both scholars and practitioners in the public sector to investigate agile practices for driving internal administrative innovation and improving the quality of public services for citizens and businesses.