Title: Innovation, digital inclusion and e-government: analysing their relationship in digital governance

Authors: Zakariya Belkhamza

Addresses: Department of Management, Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College, Doha, Qatar

Abstract: The global digital divide remains a significant barrier to effective e-government engagement, with inequalities in digital access and innovation hindering the potential of digital governance. This study examines the relationship between digital transformation, innovation and digital inclusion in the context of e-government in 121 countries. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and finite mixture partial least squares (FIMIX-PLS), this research investigates how innovation and digital inclusion interact to influence e-government effectiveness and assesses unobserved heterogeneity across countries. The findings reveal that while innovation is essential to advancing digital governance, it can also widen the digital divide if not managed inclusively. Furthermore, digital inclusion serves as a mediator between innovation and e-government engagement, highlighting the importance of ensuring digital access alongside technological progress. As such, this study calls for balanced strategies that foster both technological advancement and equitable access to digital services, providing critical insights for policymakers aiming to enhance e-government engagement globally.

Keywords: digital transformation; digital inclusion; innovation; e-government engagement; electronic government; digital governance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEG.2025.151221

International Journal of Electronic Governance, 2025 Vol.17 No.3, pp.320 - 347

Received: 30 Aug 2024
Accepted: 25 May 2025
Published online: 19 Jan 2026 *

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