The governance of digital transformation of public administration: the role of public bodies and civil society's watchdogs in Portugal and Italy

This dissertation examines the governance of digital transformation of public administrations in Portugal and Italy. Digital transformation is often framed as a top-down, technology-driven process. The dissertation offers an under-explored perspective, adopting a practice-based approach. Specifically, it examines two key phenomena: the orchestration and monitoring of digital initiatives. Orchestration refers to the coordination of resources, processes, and actors – often through the use of digital technologies – to achieve cohesive and effective digital transformation outcomes. Monitoring digital transformation encompasses the oversight activities carried out by civil society actors to scrutinize digital and technological issues that are perceived as potentially problematic within increasingly data-driven societies. Through a comparative case study, the research draws on qualitative data from public bodies and civil society organizations in both countries, offering a grounded analysis of how digital transformation unfolds in practice in two southern European countries. The findings reveal that while supranational influences, such as the EU’s policies, drive some convergence in practices, local political and institutional contexts lead to differences between the two countries. Public bodies, especially in Portugal, tend to centralize governance, whereas Italy’s fragmented approach presents more challenges. Civil society’s monitoring efforts, though impactful, face some resistance. Furthermore, the study highlights a concerning lack of meaningful interaction between public institutions and civil society watchdogs, potentially leading to a one-sided governance model. This raises important questions about the need for more collaborative, transparent, and socially responsive approaches to digital transformation. Overall, this dissertation contributes to the literature on digital transformation and governance by showing how practice theories can provide a richer and more nuanced understanding of the processes and actors involved.