Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Public Administration
• Information Systems Management
• Organizational Change

Background:

• Public sector organizations increasingly implement information systems (IS) to enhance efficiency and service quality.
• These IS projects involve significant financial investments, making successful implementation crucial for performance and societal impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify driving and restraining forces influencing IS implementation in public sector organizations.
• To explore strategies supporting successful IS change processes within the public sector.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review of 25 peer-reviewed articles was conducted.
• Lewin's change theory was used to analyze driving and restraining forces.
• Previous research narratives on IS implementation success were examined.

Main Results:

• IS implementation is influenced by six domains: organizational, technological, management, project, end-user, and institutional factors.
• Key driving forces include leadership support, stakeholder involvement, and system usability.
• Restraining forces include user resistance, technical challenges, and organizational silos.

Conclusions:

• IS implementation presents significant opportunities for public sector improvement and societal outcomes.
• Addressing barriers and leveraging facilitators are essential for sustainable digital transformation.
• The study offers actionable insights for future public sector IS implementation.