Microservices in strategic public service delivery: a systematic review and future research agenda for smart governance

This study investigates how microservices are applied in strategic public service contexts and their alignment with the principles of smart governance. Through a systematic literature review of 23 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024, the research employs both bibliometric analysis and thematic synthesis to explore the evolving interplay between digital engineering and public sector transformation. The findings highlight that microservices architectures offer significant benefits in terms of modularity, scalability, and responsiveness. However, their successful implementation depends heavily on institutional readiness, inter-agency collaboration, and adaptive policy environments. Critical barriers identified include fragmented governance structures, limited interoperability standards, and resistance to cultural change within bureaucracies. The analysis further identifies four strategic research clusters for future exploration: (1) socio-technical integration that connects system design with citizen trust and democratic legitimacy; (2) hybrid performance metrics that assess both institutional efficiency and user-centric outcomes; (3) co-production governance models enabling cross-sectoral and participatory service delivery; and (4) digital resilience frameworks that incorporate cybersecurity and systemic risk mitigation. This study contributes theoretically by reframing microservices not solely as a technical solution, but as a strategic enabler for more inclusive, transparent, and adaptive public service ecosystems. The review provides a forward-looking roadmap for scholars and policymakers to integrate microservices within broader smart governance reforms that are participatory, sustainable, and resilient to future disruptions.