An ecosystem inspired framework for digital government transformation

Traditional e-government and Digital Government Transformation (DGT) initiatives are often focused on technology transformation and business-IT alignment with the attempt to make government more efficient, transparent and easier to operate within. However, billions of public funding has been spent on those initiatives with very few anticipated benefits yielded. This thesis asserts that DGT will bring about true government transformation when business, people and culture are considered together. Many existing business/industry frameworks, architectures and best practices in the literature for DGT projects address only one or two of those dimensions. To focus on the development and delivery of transformational changes in DGT initiatives, this thesis will propose a solution framework for an integrative approach that brings about business transformation, technology transformation, with people-stakeholder-leadership oriented cultural transformation to form a holistic methodology framework for DGT that is beyond technology alone and will illuminate the road to success in DGT executions. This thesis will provide an ecosystem inspired framework together with tools and maturity model framework to guide a government-wide successful execution of the DGT journey that is iterative, measurable and with consideration of all aspects of business, technology and people. This thesis will approach DGT journeys by: 1. Implementing of a holistic framework to guide the DGT; 2. Considering people and culture for an effective DGT; 3. Providing an integrated approach that can bring innovative knowledge and cultural transformation together with the technology transformation; and by 4. Providing a measurement framework and metrics to guide the maturity of DGT projects. This thesis will be evaluated through four case studies including public sector, the defence force, and health ecosystems and is aimed at supporting public entities for better utilisation of resources, modernising operations, displaying better use of public funds, keeping trust high, saving time, offering fast learning, and better engagement and services for its stakeholders both internally and externally