Crisis as driver of digital transformation? Scottish local governments' response to COVID-19

Gangneux, J. and Joss, S. (2022) Crisis as driver of digital transformation? Scottish local governments' response to COVID-19. Data and Policy, 4, e26. (doi: 10.1017/dap.2022.18)

Abstract

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has, from the outset, been characterized by a strong focus on real-time data intelligence and the use of data-driven technologies. Against this backdrop, this article investigates the impacts of the pandemic on Scottish local government’s data practices and, in turn, whether the crisis acted as a driver for digital transformation. Mobilizing the literatures on digital government transformation, and on the impacts of crises on public administrations, the article provides insights into the dynamics of digital transformation during a heightened period of acute demands on the public sector. The research evidences an intensification of public sector data use and sharing in Scottish local authorities, with focus on health-related data and the integration of existing datasets to gather local intelligence. The research reveals significant changes related to the technical and social systems of local government organizations. These include the repurposing and adoption of information systems, the acceleration of inter and intraorganizational data sharing processes, as well as changes in ways of working and in attitudes toward data sharing and collaborations. Drawing on these findings, the article highlights the importance of identifying and articulating specific data needs in relation to concrete policy questions in order to render digital transformation relevant and effective. The article also points to the need of addressing the persistent systemic challenges underlying public sector data engagement through, on one hand, sustained investment in data capabilities and infrastructures and, on the other, support for cross-organizational collaborative spaces and networks.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding Statement. This research was supported by a research grant from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC, grant no. ES/S007105/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Joss, Professor Simon and Gangneux, Dr Justine
• Authors: Gangneux, J., and Joss, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Data and Policy
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 2632-3249
• ISSN (Online): 2632-3249
• Published Online: 24 August 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2022
• First Published: First published in Data and Policy 4: e26
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence
• Data DOI: 10.5525/gla.researchdata.1147

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
304042		UBDC Centre Transition	Nick Bailey	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/S007105/1	S&PS - Administration