DRIVERS OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A GROUNDED-THEORY ANALYSIS OF POLICY TEXTS

Abstract

Digital transformation has become an important route through which local governments can improve administrative performance and public-service delivery. This study applies grounded theory to 55 digital-government policy documents issued by central and local authorities during 2020-2024. Coding was conducted through open, axial, and selective procedures. The coding summary identifies three core dimensions, six operational categories in the final framework, and 16 initial categories; the detailed coding account also records 25 open-code subcategories and seven higher-order categories before final integration. The resulting model organizes the drivers of transformation into action strategy, institutional structure, and safeguard factors. Action strategy combines digital-technology management with strategic planning to raise governance capacity and service quality. Institutional structure links formal digital safeguards to the governmental system that stabilizes and regulates implementation. Safeguard factors, represented by a digital mindset and the allocation of technology, finance, and talent, determine whether policy commitments can be carried into practice. On this basis, the paper proposes coordinated data infrastructure, stronger institutional arrangements, responsible data governance, staff capability development, and more efficient resource deployment as practical directions for governments at different levels.