Critical success factors for digital transformation in government organizations using a structural model approach

Digital transformation (DT) is essential for government organizations to improve efficiency, enhance service delivery, and remain relevant in dynamic environments. Yet, government sector agencies often struggle to implement DT effectively. This study develops and validates a structural model of critical success factors (CSFs) driving DT success, with a focus on the mediating role of organizational readiness for digital transformation (ORDT). Survey data from 260 government employees were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (AMOS 26). Results show that stakeholder engagement (SE), organizational culture and continuous improvement (OCCI), available resources (AR), flexibility and agility (FA), and robust governance (RG) exert significant direct effects on Digital Transformation initiative success (DTIS): SE (β = 0.19, p = 0.031), OCCI (β = 0.21, p = 0.017), AR (β = 0.42, p = 0.028), FA (β = 0.14, p = 0.044), and RG (β = 0.11, p = 0.049). ORDT also directly influenced DTIS (β = 0.27, p = 0.030). Mediation tests confirmed that ORDT partially mediated all CSF– DTIS relationships, with significant indirect effects for SE (β = 0.12), OCCI (β = 0.14), AR (β = 0.11), FA (β = 0.08), and RG (β = 0.04). The findings highlight ORDT as a critical but partial pathway, suggesting that government agencies must build readiness while directly strengthening flexibility and agility to ensure sustained DT success. These results offer valuable insights for government organizations to prioritize and enhance their DT efforts by focusing on the CSFs that drive successful outcomes. The findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the interconnected nature of these factors and their collective impact on the success of DT initiatives.