Development of a new model to adopt blockchain in public administration

Blockchain technology is attracting growing attention across various sectors, including public administration, due to attributes such as decentralization, reliability, predictability, network distribution, profiling, and security. In the public sector, blockchain can enhance transparency, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and build trust in governmental processes. However, barriers such as adoption challenges, interoperability issues, and lack of standardization hinder widespread implementation. Developing tailored models is necessary for integrating blockchain into public administration to overcome these obstacles. This study proposes a novel model to assess blockchain adoption in this domain, focusing on key facilitating factors. The research employs the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, which considers factors influencing the intention to adopt and use technology within organizations. The framework was applied to public organizations through a study involving 50 public officials from eight municipal mayor’s offices in Colombia. The resulting model identifies seven TOE-related factors associated with blockchain adoption, validated via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Of these, five factors emerged as most relevant. Notably, Perceived Network Enhancement (PNE) and Perceived Interoperability (PI) showed stronger correlations with Perceived Lack of Technological Knowledge (PLTK) than did Perceived Technological Volatility (PTV) and Perceived Standardization Uncertainty (PSU). Research findings show the relationship between technological capabilities, institutional preparedness, and the knowledge required for implementing blockchain adoption in public administration, offering crucial information for policymakers and practitioners aiming to incorporate blockchain into government systems effectively.