Beyond e-government: reconsidering the GovTech paradigm in stimulating R&D and innovation in the context of the twin transition

Abstract

The aim of this Article is to reconsider the GovTech paradigm beyond its common positioning as an extension of e-government, to identify the main mechanisms through which GovTech may shape business R&D and innovation, and to develop a preliminary conceptual framework for further research in the context of the twin (digital and green) transition. Building on a structured literature review of key conceptual and policy-oriented sources, the paper analyses GovTech through three interconnected perspectives: (1) innovation governance and the state’s evolving role from service provider to market shaper and first customer; (2) data-driven and technology-enabled public sector innovation, including data governance, open data ecosystems, AI adoption, and experimentation instruments such as sandboxes; and (3) ecosystem-based public-private collaboration mechanisms, through which public sector demand and procurement are used to encourage firms to develop innovative solutions. The review suggests that GovTech is defined inconsistently and that links between GovTech instruments and business R&D and innovation outcomes remain insufficiently clarified, particularly when twin transition goals are treated as constraints rather than strategic drivers. The Article concludes by formulating a focused problem statement and outlining a preliminary conceptual framework for subsequent empirical research on GovTech and business innovation.