The question arises as to whether digital transformation in local governments is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the following subchapter the issue and objectives of this bachelor thesis are presented.
With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, all areas of life including the digital transformation in local governments changed. Currently, the demand arises for the use of modern information and communication technologies and efficient design of administrative processes to avoid personal contacts during work. Also, research on digital transformation and its sustainable effect has increased dramatically within last months. New forms of organization emerged in local governments and a lot of changes of processes occurred as a result. Thus, the aim of this bachelor thesis is to present how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced and permanently changed digital transformation in German local governments. The focus of the bachelor thesis is placed on measuring the differences, improvements and challenges of digitalization processes and the framework conditions for employees in local governments that exist after the outbreak of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
The development of digital transformation in local governments is measured by an online survey (281 participants) and compared with the theoretical results of this bachelor thesis. Finally, the main impacts, differences and the extent of digital transformation are defined to prove whether a formulated hypothesis is confirmed or refuted.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Issue and objectives of the bachelor thesis
- Structure and methodology
- Theoretical background
- Digitalization
- Definition and aims of digitalization
- Meaning and purpose of digital transformation
- Digital Transformation in local governments
- Opportunities and challenges of digitization strategy
- Functionality and development of e-government
- Transformation of local governments in the digital age
- Concept and method of quantitative research
- Online survey within local governments
- Methodical procedure of online survey
- Results of online survey
- Recommendation for action
- Critical reflection
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This bachelor thesis examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital transformation within local governments. The main objective is to analyze how the pandemic accelerated or hindered the adoption and implementation of digital technologies in these administrative bodies. * Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local government digital transformation. * Challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic for digital adoption. * Changes in working practices and administrative processes resulting from the pandemic. * The role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in pandemic response and recovery. * Effectiveness of pre-existing digitization strategies in the face of the pandemic.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of the bachelor thesis, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital transformation within local governments. It highlights the increasing pressure on governments to provide improved services and utilize digitalization to improve efficiency and collaboration. The chapter establishes the central research question: How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the digital transformation in local governments? It also outlines the structure and methodology of the thesis. Theoretical background: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of digitalization and digital transformation, specifically within the context of local governments. It defines these concepts, explores their aims, and analyzes the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing digitization strategies. The chapter examines the functionality and development of e-government and discusses the broader transformation of local governments in the digital age, setting the theoretical framework for understanding the impact of the pandemic. Concept and method of quantitative research: This chapter details the research methodology employed in the study, focusing on a quantitative approach using an online survey conducted within local governments. It explains the methodical procedure of the online survey, including the target audience and data collection methods. The chapter then presents the results of the online survey, providing key findings relevant to the research question. Critical reflection: This chapter presents a critical analysis of the findings presented in previous chapters, exploring the limitations of the study and potential biases in data collection and interpretation. It also identifies areas for future research, suggesting directions for further investigation into the long-term effects of the pandemic on local government digitalization.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Digital transformation, local government, COVID-19 pandemic, e-government, digitalization, information and communication technology (ICT), online survey, quantitative research, administrative processes, pandemic impact, digitization strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bachelor Thesis on the Impact of COVID-19 on Local Government Digital Transformation
What is the main topic of this bachelor thesis?
This bachelor thesis examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital transformation within local governments. It analyzes how the pandemic accelerated or hindered the adoption and implementation of digital technologies in these administrative bodies.
What are the key objectives of this research?
The main objective is to analyze how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the digital transformation in local governments. This includes examining the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic for digital adoption, changes in working practices and administrative processes, the role of ICT in pandemic response and recovery, and the effectiveness of pre-existing digitization strategies.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is structured into several chapters: an introduction outlining the research question and methodology; a theoretical background on digitalization and digital transformation in local governments; a chapter detailing the quantitative research methodology (online survey) and its results; and finally, a critical reflection on the findings, limitations, and future research directions.
What research methodology was used?
The thesis employs a quantitative research approach using an online survey conducted within local governments. The chapter on methodology details the methodical procedure, including the target audience and data collection methods, and presents the key findings from the survey.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local government digital transformation, the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic for digital adoption, changes in working practices and administrative processes, the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in pandemic response and recovery, and the effectiveness of pre-existing digitization strategies.
What are the key findings (in summary)?
The key findings are presented in the chapter summarizing the results of the online survey conducted within local governments. The critical reflection chapter analyzes these findings, discussing their implications and limitations.
What are the limitations of the study?
The limitations of the study, including potential biases in data collection and interpretation, are discussed in the critical reflection chapter. This chapter also suggests areas for future research to further investigate the long-term effects of the pandemic on local government digitalization.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include: Digital transformation, local government, COVID-19 pandemic, e-government, digitalization, information and communication technology (ICT), online survey, quantitative research, administrative processes, pandemic impact, digitization strategies.
- Quote paper
- Seda Kaygusuz (Author), 2023, Digital Transformation in Local Governments. Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1362084
