The Role of E-Government and Digital Skills in Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity in Regional Public Administration: The Case of the Peloponnese Region

Abstract

Digital modernization in the public sector constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for the development of citizencentric services, the simplification of administrative procedures, and the enhancement of the overall efficiency and effectiveness of public administration. The adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), combined with the systematic development of employees’ digital skills, enables public organizations to leverage data, automation, and connectivity in order to deliver more flexible, transparent, and innovative services. Within this context, the present study aims to examine the role of e-government—placing particular emphasis on the development of digital skills—in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of employees in Regional Self-Government. Given the geographical particularities and regional disparities of Greece and considering the limited empirical research focusing on second-level Local Self-Government in the Peloponnese, there is a clear need to investigate the digital skills required for the effective performance of administrative duties, as well as their contribution to improving employee efficiency and productivity in the Region of the Peloponnese. To address this research gap, a quantitative research approach was adopted, using data collected through a structured questionnaire designed based on an extensive literature review and aligned with the study’s research questions. The sample was selected using simple random sampling. The study explores the digital skills that employees of the Peloponnese Region consider essential for the effective execution of their duties, along with the perceived contribution of ICT to improving efficiency and productivity within regional public administration. The analysis of the findings highlights the importance of key digital competencies, including skills related to searching for and utilizing information on the Internet, communication and collaboration through digital media, effective use of office application software, and the creation and presentation of digital content. Additionally, competencies related to safe internet use and the management of cybersecurity threats are identified as particularly critical, while data analysis skills appear to be more moderately developed among employees.