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Unboxing maturity models: A set-theoretic perspective on e-Government configurations over time

Journal: Journal of Strategic Information Systems

Date: 2025

Author: F. Iannacci, S. Karanasios, G. Viscusi, R. McManus, C. Rupietta, C.W. Tan

Abstract:
This study conceptualizes e-Government maturity from the theoretical lens of strategic change. Drawing on a multiplicity of theories, it undertakes a fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis of the drivers of e-Government maturity over the 2010–2020 decade. It bypasses partially conflicting findings about the contribution of human capital to high levels of e-Government maturity by showcasing instead two configurations of conditions where human capital investments become a non-trivial necessary condition over time. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed by zooming in on the configurational patterns emerging over time and, by extension, refining the notion of ‘turning point’ discussed in the literature.

Link: Google Scholar

Background and Context

Research Gap

Conflicting findings exist regarding the role of human capital in e-Government maturity and how e-Government development evolves over time.

Research Approach

This study uses fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to analyze e-Government maturity drivers across 184 countries from 2010 to 2020.

Theoretical Lens

The research conceptualizes e-Government maturity through strategic change theory, integrating both continuous and punctuated change processes.

Two Distinct Configurational Paths to High e-Government Maturity

Online Services Human Capital Human Capital Telecom Infrastructure Solution 1 Solution 2 High e-Government Maturity
  • Countries achieve high e-Government maturity through two distinct pathways rather than a single universal approach.
  • Solution 1 combines online services and human capital, while Solution 2 combines human capital and telecommunication infrastructure.
  • Human capital appears in both pathways, indicating its fundamental importance to e-Government success.

Human Capital Evolves from Peripheral to Core Component Over Time

2010/12 2012/14 2014/16 2016/18 2018/20 Human Capital: Peripheral Component Human Capital: Core Component Human Capital becomes a necessary condition
  • Human capital's role in e-Government maturity transformed dramatically from 2010 to 2020.
  • From 2010-2016, human capital was a peripheral component in successful e-Government configurations.
  • After 2016/18, human capital became a core necessary condition for achieving high e-Government maturity.

Non-Linear Development Path with Focal Turning Points in OSI+HCI Configuration

  • E-Government development follows a non-linear trajectory with peaks and troughs rather than steady progression.
  • The 2012/14 period represents a focal turning point where development temporarily declined before recovering.
  • Developing countries consistently lag behind developed countries but follow similar trajectory patterns.

Solution Coverage Trends Show Dominance of the OSI+HCI Path Over Time

  • The OSI+HCI configuration became increasingly dominant as the path to high e-Government development.
  • While HCI+TII configuration maintained relevance until 2016/18, it disappeared completely by 2018/20.
  • This shift suggests online services combined with human capital is the most sustainable path to e-Government maturity.

Contribution and Implications

  • E-Government maturity is not a linear progression but follows a punctuated equilibrium model with turning points.
  • Human capital investment is essential, becoming a necessary condition for high e-Government maturity after 2016.
  • Developing countries should prioritize human capital and online services over costly telecommunication infrastructure investments.
  • Policymakers should channel limited resources toward digital literacy that complements online service delivery.
  • Public sector strategizing requires improvisational capabilities to respond to technological turning points and unexpected changes.

Data Sources

  • Visualization 1 is based on Table 2 showing the two main solutions (OSI*HCI and HCI*TII) leading to high EGDI.
  • Visualization 2 is derived from Table 2 data showing human capital's shift from peripheral to core in Solution 1.
  • Visualization 3 uses data from Figure 2 showing EGDI trajectories for typical countries in Solution 1 (OSI*HCI).
  • Visualization 4 uses data from Figure 3 showing EGDI trajectories for typical countries in Solution 2 (HCI*TII).
  • Visualization 5 is created from Table 2 raw coverage values for both solutions across the 2010-2020 timespan.