Driving and Restraining Forces in the Implementation of Information Systems in the Public Sector: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND

Public sector organizations increasingly adopt information systems (ISs) to improve economic efficiency, service quality and overall adaptability. These projects represent substantial financial investments, making their success critical for organizational performance and societal impact.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to identify the driving and restraining forces influencing IS implementation in public sector organizations and to explore strategies that support successful change processes.

METHODS

A total of 25 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed using Lewin's change theory to categorize and interpret driving and restraining forces. In addition, the narrative emerging from previous research on IS implementation was examined to explore how previous research portrays the success of IS implementation processes.

RESULTS

The findings highlight that IS implementation is influenced by 6 domains: organizational practices and challenges, technological factors and barriers, management practices and issues, change project factors and challenges, end user factors and concerns, as well as institutional factors and barriers. Key driving forces include leadership support, stakeholder involvement and system usability, while restraining forces encompass user resistance, technical challenges, and organizational silos.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the challenges, IS implementation offers significant opportunities for improving public sector operations and societal outcomes. Addressing restraining forces and leveraging driving forces is essential for achieving sustainable digital transformation. This study provides actionable insights for future IS implementation in the public sector.