Institutional Barriers to Digital Governance in Ecuador: Evidence from the Fourth Industrial Revolution
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51915/ret.407Keywords:
e-government, institutional change, interoperability, regional disparities, institutional capacityAbstract
This study analyzes the institutional challenges hindering the digital transformation of the public sector in Ecuador, within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. A qualitative, descriptive, and documentary methodology was applied, adhering to the PRISMA protocol guidelines. From 161 reviewed sources, 25 documents met the inclusion criteria, and a Likert-scale questionnaire was administered to 24 experts, including academics, public officials, and technicians. The findings were organized into five dimensions: institutional interoperability, regulatory framework, digital governance, institutional capacities, and territorial equity. Problems such as limited coordination among state platforms, restricted local operability, and territorial gaps in access to digital services were identified. The study concludes that digital government necessitates a structural transformation beyond technological. A multi-level strategy combining interoperability, sustained investment, institutional strengthening, and citizen participation is proposed. This research offers a contextualized and comprehensive vision, useful for designing inclusive digital public policies in developing countries.
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