P14 SIG Agile and Digital transformation of the public sector
Panel Chairs
Corresponding chair
M. Jae Moon, Institute for Future Government, Department of Public Policy and Management
Yonsei University, Seoul (Republic of Korea)
mjmoon@yonsei.ac.kr and mjaemoon@gmail.com
Review group chair
Altert Meijer, School of Governance, Utrecht University (The Netherlands)
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)
Ines Mergel, Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Konstanz (Germany)
Greta Nasi, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University (Italy)
Call for paper abstracts
Governments are increasingly adopting advanced digital technologies like AI and other ICT tools to enhance internal operations and service quality. This phase of digital transformation involves rethinking administrative processes and service delivery methods to embrace innovative approaches and develop new frameworks for engagement. Agile methodologies are also becoming integral to this evolution, helping public agencies navigate complex policy environments more effectively.
The panel seeks to foster academic discourse on the role of digital and agile transformation in public governance. Research papers are invited on topics including agile digital transformation, ICT-enabled stakeholder engagement, ICT-enhanced citizen interactions, and collaborative governance models. We especially encourage submissions addressing digital transformation in the context of social equity, environmental sustainability, and other critical policy issues.
This panel aims to deepen the understanding of agile methodologies in the digital transformation of public administrations. It encourages contributions that explore the theories and methods behind agile principles in public sector digital initiatives. Submissions may include theoretical, conceptual, or empirical studies, including comparative research across different government levels. The focus is on examining the adoption and implementation of agile methodologies and user-centered design principles in digital transformation projects.
This panel will advance the field of public management by offering insights into the benefits and challenges of implementing agile digital transformation in government. Through various research contributions, it aims to identify best practices for the successful adoption of agile methods, thereby enhancing public service delivery. The panel also seeks to foster knowledge exchange and inspire innovation in public administration practices. For this panel, we are interested in papers that provide both theoretical discussions and empirical evidence on how public administrations are orchestrating transformative change processes: what are new modes of interactions with the participants in the digital and agile transformation? What new modes of service design are introduced in the public sector? Which agile methods are introduced and how can they be implemented in the routines of public administrations? How are technology procurement processes changing? What are the organizational, procedural, technological outcomes of a digitally transformed public administration?
Given these compelling and less explored research questions, this panel focuses on implementation of digital and agile transformation in public administrations and invites submissions that provide empirical evidence for the above listed questions. We seek evaluative submissions that build on empirical evidence and welcome case studies or large-scale survey studies that explore digital and agile transformation in the public sector from an implementation perspective. Topics may include but are not limited to:
- Concepts and practices of digital and agile transformation both in public organizations both at the central and local levels
- 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
Paper abstracts format
Abstracts should be no longer than 500 words including references. All papers need to be submitted via our online system for abstract submission. The same platform will be used for the review, evaluation and acceptance of abstracts.