CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION IN E-GOVERNMENT SERVICES: A COMPREHENSIVE POST-COVID-19 SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Cloud computing has emerged as a pivotal technology in transforming public sector services, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the global shift toward digital governance. This study conducts a comprehensive systematic literature review to examine the adoption of cloud computing in e-government services, underscoring its growing relevance in enhancing efficiency, scalability, and citizen engagement. The goal of this review is to identify the key factors influencing cloud adoption in government organizations, explore the most frequently applied IT/IS theoretical frameworks, and assess how the pandemic has reshaped adoption trends and priorities. Based on the analysis of 50 peer-reviewed studies from seven scholarly databases, the study hypothesizes that cloud adoption in e-government is significantly influenced not only by technological and organizational factors but also by external pressures such as public health crises and evolving citizen expectations. The findings confirm this hypothesis by revealing that while cloud computing offers substantial advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, improved accessibility, and service innovation, its adoption is challenged by data security concerns, legal barriers, and varying levels of institutional readiness. Additionally, the review identifies a shift toward citizen-centric service models post-pandemic, emphasizing the need for inclusive and resilient digital infrastructures. The study also highlights a gap in the literature, noting a limited diversity in publication sources and keywords, and encourages future research to broaden its scope. Practically, the insights gained can support policymakers and decision-makers in designing more adaptive, secure, and user-focused cloud-based e-government services. This review uniquely contributes by contextualizing cloud adoption within the post-COVID-19 digital transformation of the public sector.