The Role of Technology in Enhancing Local Governance: An Analysis of the Impact of Digital Transformation on Local Government Performance

The research aimed to study the role of technology in improving local governance by analyzing the impact of digital transformation on local government performance. The objectives focused on understanding the relationship between digital transformation and the efficiency of public services, the impact of technology management and the development of digital infrastructure on enhancing governmental operations, and evaluating the role of innovation in promoting excellence and sustainability in government performance. The importance of the research stems from its role in providing practical solutions to support local governance, enhance efficiency and transparency, and assist decision-makers in adopting effective technological policies to improve citizen services. The descriptive-analytical methodology employed, with data collected through questionnaires distributed to a random sample of 129 employees in local government agencies in Iraq. SPSS software was utilize to analyze the data, applying Cronbach's Alpha, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression to assess the relationships between variables. The results showed that digital transformation significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of local government performance, reduced bureaucracy, and increased transparency. Additionally, the development of digital infrastructure and the application of modern management techniques contributed to speeding up processes and providing more flexible and innovative services. The research concluded with recommendations to strengthen investment in digital infrastructure, train government staff in the latest technologies, and encourage innovation while continuing to modernize government processes. The main objective of the research—understanding the role of digital transformation in improving local government performance is achieved, as the results demonstrated a positive impact on various aspects studied.