Digital leadership in local government
An empirical study of Dutch city managers
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6301903 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Emma Martien Branderhorst (Utrecht University School of Governance, Utrecht University), Erna Ruijer (0000-0003-2907-1454, Utrecht University School of Governance, Utrecht University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 576-599 |
| Publication date | 2025-05-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Local Government Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0300-3930 • E-ISSN: 1743-9388 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/03003930.2024.2363368 |
| OpenAlex | W4399868743 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 8 |
| References cited | 47 |
Local governments across the world are adopting new digital technologies to improve their services and to create public value. These new digital technologies challenge traditional forms of leadership. So far, few empirical studies have focused on what digital transformation implies for leadership in the public sector. Based on theories of leadership, digital transformation, and public value, we identify nine dimensions of digital leadership. Based on these dimensions, we examine how city managers across the Netherlands are leading their organizations during the digital transformation. Our findings show that city managers need to develop a value-based vision regarding digital transformation, pay attention to different forms of legitimacy, be consciously aware of the ethical dilemmas and implications of digital technologies, involve politicians more and earlier in technology projects, and stimulate digital competencies of themselves and of public servants. We conclude that 'digital leadership' requires both new and existing leadership dimensions
Business · Digital government · Digital transformation · Empirical research · Government (linguistics · Local government · Political science · Public relations · Statistics · E-Government and Public Services · Information Technology Governance and Strategy · Law · Public Administration · Public Policy and Administration Research
Beyond access
From control to collaboration
Digital governance and citizen trust in Nigeria’s public sector
How digital leadership impacts community resilience
Government Capabilities for the Twin Transition
The use of quantitative methods in local government studies
Unpacking the e-leadership to value chain
Governing Ethics for the Digital Transformation
The Data Revolution
Digital government and public management research
Creating public value through smart technologies and strategies
Governing artificial intelligence
Leadership in, of, and for smart cities – case studies from Europe, America, and Australia
Hybrid Data Competencies for Municipal Civil Servants
Datapolis
Legitimacy of Algorithmic Decision-Making
The public value of E-Government – A literature review
Digital innovation and transformation
Towards a comprehensive understanding of digital transformation in government
Know-how to lead digital transformation
An Open Government Maturity Model for social media-based public engagement
Public value creation in digital government
A public value perspective for ICT enabled public sector reforms
ICT, public values and transformative government
Alignment 2.0
Defining digital transformation
Social equity in the data era
Big Data in Public Affairs
Assessing Qualitative Studies in Public Administration Research
Understanding Public Leadership
Measuring Public Leadership
Public administration, public leadership and the construction of public value in the age of the algorithm and ‘big data’
For good measure’
Operationalizing the definition of e-leadership
Qualitative inquiry and research design
Public Value Governance
Accountable Artificial Intelligence
Towards more digital cities? Change in technology use and perceptions across small and medium-sized US cities
Theorizing from Qualitative Research in Public Administration
The ethics of algorithms
| Unique citing works | 8 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 4 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 8 |