Self-sovereign identity in the public sector: Affordances, experimentation, and actualization

The emerging concept of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) promises more portable, secure, and convenient identity services. The public sector, in particular, invests heavily to innovate with this emerging concept. However, an in-depth understanding of SSI's value and how offerings are utilized is lacking, causing complexities and insecurities in designing and implementing SSI-based applications in the public sector. Thus, we conducted a case study which aimed at utilizing SSI for tax registration purposes on online marketplaces. We chose affordance-experimentation-actualization (A- E -A) theory to explore SSI implementation and utilization. As a result, we identify four organizational-level SSI affordances and offer insights into how public sector organizations can innovate with and benefit from SSI by developing an affordance-based innovation framework. Lastly, we contribute to A- E -A theory by revealing how the experimentation phase shapes the organizational context by increasing technical, cultural, and political fit. • Exploring the SSI's role and affordances in innovating the public sector. • Identifying four organizational SSI affordances in public sector innovation. • Developing an affordance-based innovation framework for public organizations. • Guiding public sector in SSI adoption, addressing compliance and societal barriers. • Advancing A- E -A theory by linking experimentation to technical, cultural, and political fit.