Title: Digital transformation in the public sector and the bureaucratic model: a scoping review

Authors: Bernardo Motta Monteiro

Addresses: Centre for Administration and Public Policy, Institute of Social and Political Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua Almerindo Lessa, 1300-663, Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract: This paper examines digital transformation in the public sector and its interaction with the bureaucratic model of governance. From a theoretical perspective, it explores how traditional bureaucratic principles align (or conflict) with modern digital reforms. A scoping literature review was conducted, selecting publications up to 2023 through structured searches in Web of Science and SCOPUS. Text mining via VOSviewer enabled a co-word analysis, identifying key themes in 62 papers, primarily published after 2014, authored by 116 scholars across 44 journals. The findings were grouped into three thematic clusters: Consequences of Digital Transformation; Implementation of Digital Transformation, and Street-Level Bureaucracy in the Digital Age. These clusters highlight the effects of technology on public administration, the challenges of digital reform implementation, and the role of frontline bureaucrats. This study offers a critical assessment of bureaucracy in the digital era and provides insights for policymakers navigating digital transformation in highly bureaucratic environments.

Keywords: digital transformation; public sector; public administration; bureaucratic models; electronic governance; electronic government; e-government; digital transformation implementation; street level bureaucracy; scoping review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEG.2025.152647

International Journal of Electronic Governance, 2025 Vol.17 No.4, pp.380 - 399

Received: 07 Apr 2025
Accepted: 02 Nov 2025
Published online: 01 Apr 2026 *

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