Digital Governance in Public Administration: A Systematic Literature Review from Leadership and Administrative Theory Perspectives

Abstract

Digital transformation in public administration increasingly involves not only electronic services but also data, platforms, algorithms, institutional coordination, and public accountability. However, research on digital governance remains fragmented across e-government, smart cities, artificial intelligence, interoperability, public value, and leadership. This study examines the conceptualization and key themes of digital governance, the role of leadership, and the public administration theories applied, while also deriving future research directions. Using a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA 2020, the study conducted a Scopus-based search, screening, full-text assessment, and narrative-thematic synthesis of 27 included articles. The findings show that digital governance is understood as a socio-technical and institutional transformation involving digital services, data governance, interoperability, accountability, ethics, and public value creation. Leadership supports strategic direction, collaboration, organizational capacity, and the protection of public values, although it is not always the central analytical focus. The study contributes an integrative framework linking digital governance, leadership, administrative capacity, digital risks, and public outcomes, advancing a more theoretically grounded and public value-oriented understanding of digital public administration.